Wen said the system is needed because of the outbreaks of animal diseases in some foreign countries.

According to Wen, the government has taken a series of effective preventive measures.

It includes a ban on the import of meat from affected countries, and the setting-up of monitoring networks on epidemics across the country.

Wen announced the following measures will be adopted:

--Conducting compulsory inoculation and keeping a file on the immunization of animals;

--Establishing a strict epidemic monitoring system;

--Making emergency-control plans for major outbreaks of animal epidemics and making available funds, vaccines, medicine and other necessary materials to fight the epidemics;

--Strengthening quarantines of imported animals;

--Tightening market control to make sure all animals butchered have been quarantined;

--Investing more in technology and facilities for epidemic prevention;

--Seriously implementing all laws and regulations concerning the issue.

(Xinhua 04/10/2001)