Plans ensure adequate grain supply
By Xie Chuanjiao (China Daily)Updated: 2006-12-15 08:53
The central government agencies will take strong measures to ensure the
adequate distribution and supply of grain. The move is to stabilize market
prices which have been rising rapidly recently.
In an emergency circular
issued on Wednesday by the State Council, grain storage authorities were asked
to respond rationally to the market prices, and to guarantee the timely
provision of grains and edible oils.
Inspections and law-enforcement
will be strengthened at the main marketplaces to prevent manipulation and
speculation in prices, the State Council circular said.
Since the
beginning of last month, the central government has released in four batches a
total of 3.8 million tons of grain reserves to stabilize market prices.
Sources from the National Grain Administration said an auction of the
fifth batch is underway.
In another development, the Ministry of
Communications ordered that major highways, railways and ports ensure the quick
delivery of grain and related food products across the country.
In an
emergency notice, the ministry said all transportation companies should give
priority to the distribution of grain, edible oils, and poultry products, and
upgrade their work efficiency.
Green passageways should be set up for
grain and food transportation. Lengthy inspections and fee charges should be
prohibited, it said.
The measures are the latest taken by China to
stabilize grain and other food prices.
According to figures released on
Tuesday by the People's Bank of China, grains had seen a price rise of 1.6 per cent in
November, annualised, edible oil 7.6 per cent, and oil-bearing crops 2 per cent.
The State Council circular also reported that China had three
consecutive years of good harvests - 2004, 2005 and this year. The current price
rises in grain should generate greater incentives for farmers.
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