China mulls law revision to boost agricultural, rural development

A draft revision to the Agriculture Law was submitted on Tuesday to a standing committee session of China's top legislature for a second review.

The latest draft seeks to improve measures supporting agricultural and rural economic development.

The Agriculture Law, a fundamental piece of legislation governing the agricultural and rural economy, was first enacted in 1993, and comprehensively revised in 2002. The law was amended in 2009 and 2012 through individual provisions, respectively.

The draft revision was first submitted to a session of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress for deliberation in April this year and was later released to solicit public opinion.

Based on broad consultation, the second draft adds provisions to coordinate efforts to promote agricultural technology, green production, quality improvement and brand building.

It also proposes safeguarding seed security and modernizing the seed industry, improving the coverage and service quality of agricultural insurance, and encouraging the integration of new technologies into agricultural production, operations and management.

To strengthen rural development and governance, the revised draft includes provisions to boost rural governance and continuously enhance farmers' sense of fulfillment, happiness and security.

The draft requires governments at all levels to establish long-term mechanisms to eliminate unnecessary formalities and ease burdens at the primary level. It also calls for support for international exchanges and cooperation in agriculture, as well as active participation in global governance on sustainable agricultural development and food security.

The legislative session runs from Tuesday to Friday.