Crackdown urged for sheep feed additive

BEIJING - The country's agriculture authority has urged its local branch in Hebei province to crack down on the use of banned and hazardous additives, which were allegedly fed to sheep as a way to produce more lean meat.

"A special investigation will be launched (into) illegal acts related to banned additives, such as production, sales and use. People involved in such illegal practices will be punished severely," a press official from the Ministry of Agriculture said on Friday.

The official commented after media reports last week said that clenbuterol, a banned additive, had been illegally fed to sheep in Changli and Lulong counties in Hebei province for many years.