Dig for victory
Food security remains right at the top of Beijing's priority list.
On Wednesday the legislature (NPCSC) held a special inquiry on the subject.
- The State Council submitted a report on food security.
- Vice Premier Liu Guozhong, whose portfolio includes food security, the head of the macro planner (NDRC), and the agriculture minister answered questions by NPCSC members – including Chairman Zhao Leji, China's 3rd-ranked official.
The State Council report hasn't been released, but we know it covered:
- Threats to China's food security, including natural disasters and misuse of farmland
- Opportunities improve food production capacity
- Incentives for farmers to grow food crops – particularly staple grains like wheat and rice
ICYDK: There are only two or three such inquiries per year, and they focus on matters of critical importance.
- They are often precursors to new legislation and/or enforcement campaigns.
The inquiry's readout indicates two important developments are underway (NPC 2):
- A national assessment of food security performance
- Progress on the draft Food Security Protection Law
Get smart: Neither the readout nor the draft law spilled much ink on the role of imports in China's food security.
- That creates uncertainty for international agribusiness.
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