Legislative Research On Preventing Farmland Contamination In China

Farmland is the essence of the earth as well as a unification of quantity and quality, which is mainly composed of the soil. While the present laws and policies in China attach great significance to the protection of farmland quantity, the decline of farmland quality is often ignored. In fact, the influence of declining farmland quality on agricultural production is the same as the decrease of farmland quantity does. One typical example of declining farmland quality is farmland contamination which causes damaging impacts. Firstly, it poses a great threat to the security of grain production and farm produces; Secondly, the decline of farmland productivity leads to the decrease in output and economic benefits; Thirdly, it contributes to the drop in the reuse of farmland and even diminishes the productivity of some farmland; Fourthly, it results in the loss of ecological balance and exerts a devastating impact on the sustainable development of agriculture. Obviously, it is in direct contradiction to the establishment of recycling economy and harmonious society. In essence, farmland contamination refers to soil contamination, which is one of the three environmental element pollutions in the world (atmosphere, water and soil). Soil contamination is the main cause of soil degradation in China and even in the globe, which is called chemistry time bomb in the academic field. Farmland contamination has already become a serious impediment to the sustainable development of economy and society. In addition, it threatens the welfare of the general public and hinders the establishment of new rural society in China.The control on environmental pollution (air pollution, water pollution, solid waste pollution, etc.) has increased people's widespread interests since the promulgation of environmental protection laws (tried a line) in 1979 and environmental protection laws in 1989. Specific laws and regulations concerning environment pollution have undergone several modifications over the period. However, another important form of environmental pollution---farmland contamination, in particular, has been neglected in China for a long time. The present legislation on farmland contamination is far from satisfactory, lacking the feasibility and comprehensiveness. Thus, it cannot adapt to the ever-increasing severity of farmland contamination and satisfy the requirement of controlling farmland contamination.This thesis is based on the current situation of farmland and farmland contamination in China starts with the definition, characteristic, damage, source of farmland and farmland contamination, analyzes present legislations on farmland contamination, and suggests the modification and perfection of laws and policies as well as the enactment of farmland contamination laws in China.Only by legislating against farmland contamination can the problem be solved completely and farmland can be protected in the long run.