Respect for farmers in land use

The State Council, China’s cabinet, has said the forced eviction of farmers from their homes must be stopped. At a meeting presided over by Premier Wen Jiabao, the Council said the rural land maintenance campaign should bring about higher incomes for farmers and more efficient agriculture. And it should not go against farmers’ will.
A statement issued after the meeting said emphasis must be placed on farmland maintenance to improve the ratio of high-output farmland in rural areas.
The statement said strict measures should be taken to protect farmland and boost its efficiency, and called for integrated land maintenance involving farmland, irrigation systems, roads, forests and villages.
English.News.cn reported that government officials and related staff will be held accountable for violations.