Five-year plan targets pollution in rural areas

The excessive use of fertilizers and pesticides is increasing agricultural pollution in China, a senior official said on Tuesday, as the country's agricultural authority launched a five-year action plan to curb pollution in rural areas.

Zhang Taolin, vice-minister of agriculture, told a news conference on Tuesday that the pollution caused by excessive use of fertilizers is increasing in the country's central and eastern areas.

"The problem is more severe in areas cultivating fruits and vegetables, with the expansion of those areas in recent years," he said.