[Weiboxin] Notice of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs on Issuing the “2024 National Monitoring Plan for Veterinary Drug Residues in Aquatic Products at Production Sites” and the “2024 National Monitoring Plan for Aquatic Animal Diseases”

Source: Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of the People’s Republic of China

Notice of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs on Issuing the “2024 National Monitoring Plan for Veterinary Drug Residues in Aquatic Products at Production Sites” and the “2024 National Monitoring Plan for Aquatic Animal Diseases”

To the Departments (Bureaus, Commissions) of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (Agriculture and Animal Husbandry) and Fisheries of all provinces, autonomous regions, municipalities directly under the central government, and cities separately listed in the national plan; to the Agriculture and Rural Affairs Bureau of the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps; and to all relevant units:

　　To strengthen the supervision and management of the quality and safety of aquaculture products, enhance risk early warning and prevention and control of aquatic animal epidemics, and improve the quality safety and biosecurity of aquaculture products, in accordance with the Law of the People’s Republic of China on the Quality and Safety of Agricultural Products, the Law of the People’s Republic of China on Animal Epidemic Prevention, the Regulations on the Administration of Veterinary Drugs, and other relevant laws and regulations, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs has formulated the “2024 National Monitoring Plan for Veterinary Drug Residues in Aquatic Products at Production Sites” and the “2024 National Monitoring Plan for Aquatic Animal Epidemics.” These plans are hereby issued to you; please organize and implement them conscientiously, and the relevant matters are notified as follows.

　　 I. Division of Tasks

　　(1) The Fisheries and Fishery Administration Bureau of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs is responsible for formulating and implementing the National Monitoring Program for Veterinary Drug Residues in Aquatic Products at the Place of Origin and the National Monitoring Program for Aquatic Animal Diseases; for publishing the results of monitoring (testing); and for organizing analysis and assessment of the quality and safety of farmed aquatic products and the biosecurity situation of farmed aquatic organisms.

　　(2) The Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences (hereinafter referred to as “CAFS”) is responsible for the specific organization and implementation of the National Monitoring Program for Veterinary Drug Residues in Aquatic Products at the Place of Origin, and for providing technical guidance to monitoring efforts in various regions. National Aquatic Product Quality Supervision and Inspection Centers and other aquatic product quality inspection agencies (hereinafter referred to as “quality inspection agencies”) shall undertake tasks such as sampling, testing, and submission of results under the National Monitoring Program for Veterinary Drug Residues in Aquatic Products at the Place of Origin.

　　(3) The National Aquatic Technology Extension Station is responsible for the specific organization and implementation of the national aquatic animal disease surveillance program and the national monitoring program for veterinary drug residues in aquaculture products at the place of origin, including surveillance of antimicrobial resistance in major pathogens of aquaculture animals, initiatives to reduce the use of aquaculture drugs, and public education campaigns on the proper use of medications conducted in rural areas. It also provides technical guidance for aquatic animal disease prevention and control efforts across the country. The Chinese Academy of Inspection and Quarantine Sciences and other relevant testing institutions undertake tasks such as sampling, testing, and reporting of results under the national aquatic animal disease surveillance program.

　　(4) Provincial competent authorities shall be responsible for organizing and implementing the national monitoring program for veterinary drug residues in aquatic products at the place of origin and the national surveillance program for aquatic animal diseases within their jurisdictions, and for providing assistance in sampling activities; formulating and implementing provincial-level monitoring (supervisory spot-check) programs for veterinary drug residues in aquatic products at the place of origin and surveillance programs for aquatic animal diseases, and submitting reports on implementation status and surveillance results on time; and tracking the investigation and handling of non-compliant samples identified in veterinary drug residue monitoring and positive samples identified in disease surveillance, and submitting timely reports thereon.

　　II. Job Requirements

　(1) Strengthen organizational leadership. Agricultural and rural (fisheries) authorities at all local levels shall attach great importance to the monitoring of veterinary drug residues in aquatic products at the place of origin and to the surveillance of aquatic animal diseases; reinforce organizational leadership; refine the division of responsibilities; ensure that responsibilities are firmly assigned at all levels; and conscientiously and fully implement all tasks under the National Monitoring Plan for Veterinary Drug Residues in Aquatic Products at the Place of Origin and the National Surveillance Plan for Aquatic Animal Diseases, thereby laying a solid foundation for the safe and reliable supply of aquatic products.

　　(2) Promote source-based governance. All localities shall continuously strengthen source-level control over the quality and safety of aquatic products as well as biosecurity, and, in conjunction with the implementation of the “Five Major Initiatives” for promoting green and healthy aquaculture technologies, popularize eco-friendly and health-oriented farming models, upgrade infrastructure and equipment, provide supporting high-quality aquatic seed strains and disease-prevention technologies, standardize daily management practices and the use of veterinary drugs, and continually enhance the awareness of farming entities regarding quality and safety as well as epidemic prevention and control. Thoroughly organize special rectification campaigns targeting benzodiazepine residues at angling venues; establish registration and filing systems for aquaculture facilities that offer angling services; put in place long-term management mechanisms; implement routine supervision and increase the frequency of rapid testing; guide aquaculture farms to establish and improve medication records; encourage anglers not to use groundbait or baits illegally adulterated with benzodiazepines or of unknown origin; and conduct monthly random inspections for benzodiazepine residues at aquaculture farms found in 2023 to have residue levels exceeding regulatory limits.

　　(3) Strengthen the application of inspection results. All localities shall coordinate and collaborate with departments responsible for quality and safety in joint supervision and law enforcement, continuously deepen the three-year campaign on edible agricultural products—“cracking down on prohibited substances, controlling pesticide residues, and promoting quality improvement”—standardize law enforcement procedures, ensure seamless coordination between administrative and criminal enforcement, and jointly enhance the quality and safety of aquaculture products. Relevant provinces shall intensify investigations and handling of samples from production areas that fail to meet standards for veterinary drug residues, carry out targeted and sustained crackdowns on illegal and non-compliant activities, and effectively deter unlawful use of drugs in aquaculture.

Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs

March 11, 2024

See Attachment 2.