Environmental risks and precautions in pig husbandry relocation in China

Livestock breeding is not only a pillar industry of China's agricultural and rural economy, but also the most important source of agricultural pollution. Under the influence of environmental protection and industrial policies, pig husbandry in the southern provinces of China has largely reduced in recent years. These provinces were originally the traditional pig husbandry regions. Meanwhile, the pig husbandry is booming in the northern provinces of China. This relocation from the southern to the northern part of China is just a microcosm of the transition in Chinese agriculture. Although there is some rationality based on the availability of resources and environmental characteristics, there are still huge environmental risks associated with the process of pig husbandry relocation. Based on this argument, this study analyzed the potential environmental risks and environmental injustice caused by the current relocation of pig husbandry and the following conclusions were drawn. Firstly, the climatic conditions and farming system in the northern part of China are not suitable for resource utilization of cultured manure. Secondly, it may pose a huge potential risk to the water quality and water supply in the area. Moreover, the breeding density in some areas might be too large, which is beyond the carrying capacity of the land and threatens the local ecological environment. The ecological environment of Northeast China is as important as that of South China. To avoid damaging the environment in the northern part of China, we should establish and optimize an inter-regional ecological compensation mechanism to reduce the environmental unfairness between northern and southern China. The region of pig breeding should also be scientifically optimized to avoid uneven distribution. Moreover, farming and pig husbandry should be combined organically by an accompanying reward and punishment policy. Finally, strict environmental protection policies must be implemented, and innovative pollution reduction methods should also be introduced.