The Animal Husbandry Law was promulgated in 2005 and amended in 2015 respectively. The latest revision entered into force on April 24, 2015.

There are 73 articles in total.

The key points are as follows:

1.This Law shall apply to the protection, utilization, breeding, rearing, business operations and transport of the genetic resources of livestock and poultry within China.

2.The state shall establish a system for the protection of the genetic resources of livestock and poultry.

3.Where a livestock or poultry genetic resource is to be imported from abroad, an application shall be filed with the stockbreeding and veterinary administrative department of government.

4.Where any livestock or poultry genetic resource included in the protection list is to be exported from China or is to be researched and utilized within China in cooperation with any foreign institution or individual, the applicant shall file an application with the stockbreeding and veterinary administrative department of the government and shall simultaneously put forward a plan on sharing the benefits with the state.

5.To apply for the import of any breeding livestock or poultry, an applicant shall hold a permit for the production and business operation of breeding livestock and poultry.

6.The government shall strengthen the supervision and management of the livestock and poultry raising environment, breeding livestock and poultry quality, use of feed, animal drug and other substances, as well as the livestock and poultry transactions and transport.