Regulations on animal feed will be revised "soon", the Ministry of Agriculture said on Sunday.

A statement posted on its website included comments made by Wang Zongli, deputy director of the husbandry and livestock division, at a meeting of agricultural officials.

Various revisions are under consideration to address inconsistencies in the current regulations, but none will be ready until next year, a source told China Daily yesterday.

Officials declined to comment on whether the revisions will target the use of melamine in feed and milk products.

Following the scandal over contaminated pet food exported to the United States, the agricultural ministry has been keen to tighten its control on animal feed. On Nov 19, the National Development and Reform Commission urged the ministry to revise the standard as it relates to melamine and other toxic ingredients.

"The most prominent issues for the industry are development and safety," Wang said.

"There have been frequent safety incidents involving animal feed and other agricultural produce. Manufacturers have been able to use forbidden chemicals because of slack management among some government institutions."

(China Daily December 2, 2008)