China has invested around US$69m in a campaign to improve the quality of its pork.
Business in 7,740 slaughterhouses has been suspended and a further 3,279 have been upgraded, according to Ministry of Commerce assistant minister, Huang Hai.
More than 10 new regulations have been drafted to improve pig slaughter practices and pork quality.
Huang also stated that the price of pork is due to remain quite high in the first half of 2008, but that the government is planning to continue releasing pork from state reserves ahead of the Lunar New Year in February.