Govt to invest $439m on pig and cow breeding

China has earmarked 3 billion yuan ($439 million) this year to support the large-scale breeding of pigs and cows in a bid to stabilize agricultural development and help raise farmers' incomes, the State Council said in a statement on Sunday.

The cabinet, urged governments at all levels to put into effect all subsidy and stimulus policies regarding pig and cow breeding.

Zhang Xiaoshan, director of the rural development research institute of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said the central government's announcement of the fresh investment will help stabilize pork prices, amid fears of the A(H1N1) flu.