BEIJING -- The government will make efforts to ensure farm produce safety in the run-up to the traditional Spring Festival, said Chinese Agriculture Minister Sun Zhengcai here Saturday.

Agricultural products, if found harmful to health, will not be allowed to enter the market as the Chinese lunar new year is approaching, Sun said when inspecting supermarkets and wholesale markets in Beijing.

The ministry launched a three-month long nationwide campaign last December to check pesticide remains and other chemicals in farm produce.

Chinese people, especially rural residents, have a tradition to prepare a good many foods for Spring Festival, which falls on February 18 this year.