Jinhua in Zhejiang province approved the "Regulations on the Promotion of Jinhua Liangtouwu Pig Industry Development" on Dec 30. 

This groundbreaking legislation, comprising six chapters and 28 articles, focuses on aspects such as preservation, industry development, and support. It aims to foster industry innovation, enhance its brand cultural value, and ensure food safety, marking the first local regulation on animal husbandry in the province.

The Liangtouwu pig, also called panda pig, is famed for its black head and hindquarters contrasting with a white body and limbs. As a nationally protected genetic resource and one of China's top pig breeds, Liangtouwu has been bred in Jinhua for over 1,700 years.

Jinhua now boasts 22 farms with an annual number of pigs supplied to the market surpassing 500. In 2024, the city grew by 30 percent to more than 90,000.

Wang Xiyan, a deputy to Jinhua municipal people's congress, emphasized the need for legislation to address challenges in pig farming, such as insufficient breeding promotion, weak brand influence, and incomplete industry support systems.

The regulations prioritize protection and inheritance, advocating for a refined breed conservation system and the establishment of a genetic resource library. Additionally, the regulations target the complete industrial chain, emphasizing innovative development through various farming models, product development, and industry integration to drive the industry forward.

Wang added that the regulations will be implemented after being approved by Zhejiang Provincial People's Congress. This will provide legal safeguards for the protection and utilization of Liangtouwu pig genetic resources and the high-quality development of the entire industrial chain, increasing the influence of the Jinhua Liangtouwu pig and farmers' income.