An official from the Ministry of Ecology and Environment answered questions from reporters regarding the “Action Plan for Winning the Battle Against Agricultural and Rural Pollution (2021–2025).”

　　Recently, the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, the Ministry of Housing and Urban–Rural Development, the Ministry of Water Resources, and the National Administration for Rural Revitalization, jointly issued the Action Plan for the Tough Battle on Agricultural and Rural Pollution Control (2021–2025) (hereinafter referred to as the “Action Plan”). An official from the Ministry of Ecology and Environment answered questions from reporters regarding the background of the Action Plan’s release, its overall objectives, and its key components.
　　Q: Could you please provide some background on the issuance of the Action Plan?
　　Answer: The Tough Battle for Controlling Agricultural and Rural Pollution (hereinafter referred to as the “Tough Battle”) is one of the landmark campaigns under the 14th Five-Year Plan for deepening the fight against pollution, and it constitutes an important measure for comprehensively advancing the rural revitalization strategy. It holds significant importance for promoting green and low-carbon development in agriculture and rural areas, fulfilling obligations under the Convention on Biological Diversity, and strengthening ecological civilization in rural regions.
　　Since the launch of the 13th Five-Year Plan, the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs and other relevant departments, has organized local authorities to thoroughly implement Xi Jinping’s Thought on Ecological Civilization and earnestly carry out the decisions and arrangements of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council, continuously advancing ecological and environmental protection in the agricultural and rural sectors. In particular, since the initiation of the Action Plan for Winning the Battle Against Agricultural and Rural Pollution in 2018, all key tasks have been completed as scheduled, yielding significant interim progress.
　　However, pollution control in agriculture and rural areas remains a weak link in ecological and environmental protection as well as in the “three rural issues” agenda. The situation is still grave, and overall, we are at a stage where progress requires overcoming significant challenges—failure to advance means regression—and many tough problems remain to be tackled. The gains made in rural environmental improvement urgently need to be consolidated and further enhanced: nationwide, two-thirds of administrative villages still fail to meet basic environmental standards; the treatment rate for rural domestic wastewater stands at only 25.5%; and efforts to address black, malodorous water bodies in rural areas are only just getting off the ground. Meanwhile, non-point source pollution from agriculture continues to be at a high level. Fertilizer Pesticide There is an urgent need to strengthen efforts to reduce inputs while enhancing efficiency, and the level of pollution prevention and control in livestock and poultry farming remains in need of improvement. Aquaculture The foundation for treating aquaculture effluent remains weak, and the levels of pollution control based on law, science, and precision are still inadequate, leaving a significant gap between current practices and both the public’s aspirations and the goal of building a Beautiful China by 2035.
　　The 14th Five-Year Plan period marks the first five-year phase in embarking on a new journey toward fully building a modern socialist country and advancing toward the second centenary goal. To implement the “Opinions of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council on Winning the Tough Battle Against Pollution” and the “Five-Year Action Plan for Improving and Upgrading the Rural Living Environment (2021–2025),” and building on the achievements and lessons learned from the tough battle to address agricultural and rural pollution during the 13th Five-Year Plan, the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, the Ministry of Housing and Urban–Rural Development, the Ministry of Water Resources, the National Rural Revitalization Administration, and other relevant departments, has formulated this action plan.
　　Q: What is the overall guiding principle behind the formulation of the Action Plan?
　　Answer: The Action Plan is grounded in the realities and development needs of agriculture, rural areas, and farmers, focusing on weak links and priority regions. It sets out the overall requirements, key tasks, and supporting measures for the critical battles during the 14th Five-Year Plan period, strengthens oversight and guidance, and encourages localities to tailor their efforts to local conditions, thereby ensuring tangible results. It highlights the following three aspects:
　　First, in implementing the CPC Central Committee’s important decisions and arrangements for waging a tough battle against pollution, we have formulated a roadmap and a timetable. The Action Plan conscientiously applies General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important instructions on advancing agricultural non-point source pollution control with a “nailing‑down” spirit and on continuing to improve the rural living environment. It also puts into practice the Opinions of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council on Waging a Tough Battle Against Pollution, keeping both short‑term priorities and long‑term goals in mind. Focusing on key tasks in ecological and environmental protection in agriculture and rural areas and addressing major bottlenecks, the plan sets out specific measures and time‑bound targets to ensure that they are implementable, subject to effective assessment, and deliver tangible results.
　　Second, we will focus on pressing environmental issues in agriculture and rural areas and intensify our efforts to tackle them. Guided by the goal of enhancing the people’s sense of gain and well-being, we will prioritize key challenges, advance work in stages, and accelerate solutions to problems such as rural domestic wastewater and waste, as well as black and malodorous water bodies. Fertilizer Pesticide Address five prominent environmental issues—abandoned agricultural plastic mulch, pollution from the livestock industry, and others—to enhance the effectiveness of remediation efforts.
　　Third, ensure full alignment with relevant plans and strengthen coordinated synergy. Enhance coordination and collaboration with the National Green Agricultural Development Plan for the 14th Five-Year Period, the Plan for Soil, Groundwater, and Rural Ecological Environmental Protection during the 14th Five-Year Period, and other related initiatives; mobilize the efforts of all departments; integrate these strategies into work across various sectors; and advance rural environmental improvement and the prevention and control of agricultural non-point source pollution.
　　Q: What specific target indicators are outlined in the Action Plan?
　　Answer: Building on a comprehensive review and assessment of the achievements of the “13th Five-Year Plan” campaign to tackle agricultural and rural pollution, the Action Plan, in line with the overarching goals of the “14th Five-Year Plan” for ecological and environmental protection and the drive to advance rural revitalization, addresses the most pressing gaps in improving rural living environments and curbing non-point source agricultural pollution, with a focus on targeted efforts. By 2025, it is expected that the level of rural environmental improvement will have significantly advanced, non-point source agricultural pollution will be brought under preliminary control, and the rural ecological environment will continue to improve.
　　The Action Plan sets out the following six categories of specific indicators. By 2025, an additional 80,000 administrative villages will have completed environmental improvement; the treatment rate for rural domestic wastewater will reach 40%; and large‑scale black and odorous water bodies in rural areas will be essentially eliminated. Fertilizer Pesticide Usage continues to decline, major crops Fertilizer 、 Pesticide Utilization rates all reach 43%; the agricultural film recycling rate stands at 85%; and the comprehensive utilization rate of livestock and poultry manure exceeds 80%.
　　Q: To achieve the aforementioned goals, what key tasks does the Action Plan set forth?
　　Answer: The Action Plan addresses the treatment of rural domestic sewage and waste, as well as the remediation of black and odorous water bodies in rural areas, Fertilizer Pesticide Five key areas—reducing input while enhancing efficiency, advancing agricultural film recycling, and preventing and controlling pollution in the livestock sector—are identified to ensure the continued success of the tough battle against agricultural and rural environmental pollution.
　　First, we will accelerate the treatment of rural domestic wastewater and solid waste. We will enhance the effectiveness and coverage of rural environmental improvement efforts, strengthen county-level coordination, prioritize key villages, and implement differentiated, area‑specific approaches to managing domestic wastewater. We will systematically rectify wastewater collection and treatment facilities that are not operating properly, and better integrate rural toilet upgrades with wastewater management by promoting decentralized, centralized, and network‑connected treatment options. We will also improve the rural household waste collection, transportation, and disposal system, advance harmless treatment tailored to local conditions, and refine routine inspection mechanisms. Furthermore, we will promote waste sorting and reduction, and strengthen the coordinated treatment and utilization of rural agricultural and other waste streams.
　　Second, we will carry out the remediation of black and odorous water bodies in rural areas, integrating this effort with the coordinated management of domestic wastewater, solid waste, agricultural practices, and livestock farming. Priority will be given to larger‑scale water bodies that have drawn strong public concern. We will implement the river chief and lake chief systems to promote effective governance and ongoing maintenance of these water bodies, and launch pilot projects and demonstration initiatives in key regions.
　　Third is implementation. Fertilizer Pesticide Efficiency‑enhancing, volume‑reducing initiative. Implement precision fertilization, with tailored strategies developed by region and crop type. Fertilizer Apply the maximum residue limits and reduction plans in accordance with the law. Fertilizer Implement total-quantity control to promote the substitution of organic fertilizers. Fertilizer and soil-testing-based fertilization. Promote the application of high-efficiency, low-risk practices. Pesticide , phasing out highly toxic substances Pesticide , promote green pest and disease management and integrated pest management for crops.
　　Fourth, we will vigorously implement the agricultural film recycling initiative. We will enforce a stringent management system for agricultural films, comprehensively strengthen market oversight, establish and improve a robust network for the collection and recycling of used agricultural films, advance the development of key counties dedicated to film recycling, and conduct regular, institutionalized monitoring and assessment of residual plastic mulch in farmland.
　　Fifth, strengthen pollution prevention and control in the livestock and poultry sector. Promote the upgrading of manure‑management facilities and equipment at large‑scale farms, advance county‑wide initiatives to harness livestock and poultry manure as a resource, and refine maximum permissible limits for manure‑based fertilizers. Enhance regulatory oversight of pollution prevention and control in livestock and poultry farming, and guide localities in formulating and implementing pollution‑prevention plans, while revising and updating local emission standards. Aquaculture Major aquaculture-producing provinces have formulated and promulgated pollutant discharge standards to regulate the establishment of intensive farming facilities. Aquaculture Aquaculture effluent discharge outlets; development Aquaculture Promote eco‑healthy aquaculture and advance water conservation and emission reduction in aquaculture effluent.
　　Q: How will the effective implementation of the goals and tasks outlined in the Action Plan be ensured?
　　Answer: To achieve the objectives and tasks of the decisive battle, the Action Plan sets forth four categories of supporting measures.
　　First, strengthen organizational leadership. The Ministry of Ecology and Environment, in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, the Ministry of Housing and Urban–Rural Development, the Ministry of Water Resources, and the National Administration for Rural Revitalization, is coordinating efforts to advance the tough battle. Local authorities have formulated implementation plans and are submitting regular reports on progress toward their targets and tasks.
　　Second, strengthen policy support. Implement local fiscal responsibilities for agricultural and rural pollution control. Leverage the guiding role of central funds for rural environmental improvement and other relevant policies. Localities should establish long-term mechanisms to ensure integrated management and maintenance of rural toilet upgrades, wastewater treatment, and waste‑management facilities. Land designated for rural domestic wastewater treatment infrastructure shall be prioritized in land‑use planning as public‑utility infrastructure and subject to legally compliant land‑approval procedures. Encourage local governments to vigorously develop green finance for agriculture and rural areas.
　　Third, strengthen monitoring and surveillance. Achieve full county‑level coverage of rural environmental quality monitoring stations; intensify ongoing surveys of black and odorous water bodies in rural areas; advance the development of a monitoring network for agricultural nonpoint source pollution; and enhance the information‑based management of ecological and environmental oversight in agriculture and rural areas.
　　Fourth, strengthen oversight and performance assessment. Improve the mechanism for evaluating the effectiveness of rural environmental remediation, conduct spot checks on the operation of pollution-control facilities, and incorporate the treatment of black and odorous water bodies in rural areas into enhanced supervisory efforts. Furthermore, bring prominent issues in agricultural and rural pollution control under the purview of central and provincial ecological and environmental protection inspections.

Source: Ministry of Ecology and Environment Author: Ministry of Ecology and Environment