China steps up fiscal measures to increase hog production, ensure pork supply

BEIJING - China has decided to strengthen its fiscal policies in a move to facilitate hog production and guarantee stable pork supply, according to the Ministry of Finance (MOF) Wednesday.

Subsidies to farms with culled pigs will be dispensed every six months instead of annually to accelerate the subsidy delivery, a circular jointly released by the MOF and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs said.

Meanwhile, to further support the infrastructure building of animal disease prevention and control, local governments will lift the incentives to major hog producing counties, the circular said.

Insurance coverage on hogs was raised temporarily as well, with that for sows rising to 1,500 yuan ($211.6) from the former maximum limit of 1,200 yuan and that for finishing pigs growing to 800 yuan from 600 yuan.