China announced measures Sunday to support dairy industry as 30
percent milk cow raisers suffered losses in 2006.
The cost of milk cow raising has increased sharply since 2006.
The cost of feed has increased by 30 percent; cost of human labor
has doubled; and expenses in quarantine, transport and water and
power have also increased to different extents.
However, the price of milk has remained the same as in the
previous years. As a result, the profit from raising a milk cow
decreased by an average 1,200 yuan.
The new measures will put all raisers of progenitive cows across
the country under the subsidy program that once only covered 181
counties, according to the National Development and Reform
Commission.
Under the new measures, the government will provide more
financial support, including offering interest subsidies and
extending loan payment period, to milk cow raisers.
The government will provide premium subsidies to encourage milk
cow raisers to buy insurance, according to the new measures.
Related departments and authorities of the State Council are
studying the implementation details of the measures, which will be
enforced by the end of 2007.
(Xinhua News Agency September 24, 2007)
