The governor of Fujian province, who spoke in an interview, on Mar 22, about his province being chosen as China's first environmental protection pilot zone, noted that food security depends on greater progress in the ecology.

Su Shulin went on to explain that food safety not only addresses food additives and lean meat extenders but also other contaminations found in plants and breeding, including the water and soil in the surrounding area, as well as heavy metals, all of which need tighter controls all the way back to the source.

"Fujian has policies on the use of organic fertilizers, which benefit soil and crops and it strictly prohibits the use of toxic pesticides. The province will set aside a special fund to monitor agricultural products and will build a monitoring network," said Su, noting that the food we eat, water we drink, and air we breathe are crucial to all and are more important than money.

By Lu Ting from China Daily Fujian Bureau, and Zhao Qian

Edited by Roger Bradshaw