The number of birds and animals that fell prey to major epidemics this year dropped to a three-year low because of government measures to check disease outbreaks, a senior Agriculture Ministry official said on Wednesday.

The number of birds infected with avian flu dropped by 60 percent, with 9,000 birds falling prey to the virus, said Li Jinxiang, director of the ministry's veterinary bureau.

A total of only 7,648 pigs fell prey to the porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome, a drop by 97 percent compared to last year.

And the number of animals infected with the foot and mouth disease fell by about 80 percent, with only 123 cases being reported, the ministry said.

"We've paid greater attention to animal epidemic control this year, enforcing effective vaccination programs and surveillance," Li said.

A general nationwide survey shows the free inoculation program for poultry and livestock covered 95 percent of the country's villages and towns, Li said.

Supervision officials at various levels investigated more than 43,000 cases and seized 238,200 tons of substandard or potentially dangerous meat products this year, Li said.

Besides the more than 1.7 billion yuan (US$247 million) set aside for animal epidemic control, the authorities have also pumped in 700 million yuan to boost the setting up of veterinary service stations in villages and towns.

(China Daily December 25, 2008)