Provincial governments should report major animal epidemic cases to the State Council, China's highest governing body, within four hours after they learned them, according to a new State Council regulation.

The regulation, which was released on Sunday, also requires county or city governments to report such cases to provincial authorities within a matter of just two hours.

It was issued when China reported an increasing number of avian flu outbreaks; on Sunday, the Ministry of Agriculture confirmed another two outbreaks of the deadly H5N1 subtype avian flu cases in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region and central Hubei Province.

The regulation is aimed at "controlling and stamping out major animal epidemic cases as soon as possible, ensuring the safety of breeding industry, protecting people's health and lives and safeguarding the normal social order."

The animal epidemic includes avian flu and other animal diseases with a high incidence or fatality, it noted.

The regulation said that local government officials who neglect the performance of their duties will be removed from their official posts and even be prosecuted. Those who take the chance to embezzle emergency funds or drive up goods prices and cheat consumers will also be penalized.

It lists detailed preparations and emergency measures to cope with animal epidemic cases.

Armymen and police across China should support the efforts made by local governments to control animal epidemic, the State Council regulation said.

(Xinhua News Agency November 21, 2005)