China launches crackdown on fake seeds, pesticide

BEIJING, Jan. 7 (Xinhua) -- China's Ministry of Public Security has launched a three-month campaign to crack down on the manufacturing and selling of fraudulent seeds, pesticide and fertilizers.

"Seeds, pesticide and fertilizers are the basic materials for farmers' work. Fake farm products not only result in the reduction of output or even crop failure, but also are likely to cause environmental pollution," Vice Minister Liu Jinguo said Friday at a meeting.

Prior to the campaign, police across the country had already solved 38 cases of manufacturing and selling fake seeds, pesticide and fertilizers, which involved about 15 million yuan (2.2 million U.S. dollars), figures from the ministry show.

However, Liu noted that the situation was still grave as huge profits lured more people to commit such crimes and farmers usually were not aware of protecting their own rights.

Further, Liu urged the country's police to spare no effort in dealing with every case, regardless of how much money is involved, and protect farmers' rights "as best as they can."

The move is part of a national campaign to crack down on the violation of intellectual property rights (IPRs) and the production and distribution of fraudulent and shoddy products.

The campaign started in November last year.