The 2026 Central No.1 Document was released on February 3rd. This article reviews and analyzes the relevant statements about agricultural film pollution control and straw utilization in the seven Central No.1 Documents from 2020 to 2026. Through the analysis of the core content and changes in each year, it interprets the management planning layout and governance logic evolution of the country in this field. The core statements and changes are presented by year and an overall analysis is conducted.
1.Treatment of plastic film pollution: From "strengthening governance" to "scientific recycling + promotion of degradable materials + full system closed-loop"
Year Statement Analysis
2020
Strengthen the management of agricultural film pollution
The basic governance requirements merely state "strengthen", without specifying any specific measures.
2021
Comprehensively implement the action for agricultural film recycling, and strengthen the research and promotion of degradable agricultural films.
From "governance" to "recycling actions", clearly define the core focus of "recycling".
The first proposal was for the research and promotion of degradable agricultural films, shifting from end-of-pipe treatment to source substitution.
2022
Promote the scientific use and recycling of agricultural films
Increase scientific utilization and emphasize the scientific management of the entire process from "use" to "recycling", rather than focusing solely on the final recycling stage.
2023
Establish and improve the collection, utilization and treatment system for agricultural waste such as plastic films.
Integrate straw, pesticide packaging, and manure waste into a unified collection, utilization, and treatment system, achieving collaborative governance and closed-loop management of agricultural waste.
2024
No separate listing of plastic film for agriculture
The management of agricultural films has been deeply integrated into the governance of agricultural non-point source pollution systems and the construction of agricultural green development pilot zones. It is no longer treated as an independent issue but has become a standardized and regular part of the ecological governance system.
2025
The logic of controlling agricultural film pollution
Pathway for addressing plastic film pollution: Strengthen governance → Recycling + research on degradable materials → Scientific use of recycled materials → Incorporation into a unified waste management system → Integration into comprehensive governance.
Methods for addressing plastic film pollution: From "compulsory recycling" to scientific use + biodegradable alternatives + market-based recycling system. From "reducing residues" to biodegradable alternatives and full life-cycle management, this helps promote low-carbon development in agriculture.
2.
Utilization of straw: From "promoting utilization" to "enhancing capabilities + precise burning control + complete chain system"
Year Statement Analysis
2020
Promote the comprehensive utilization of straw
As a fundamental task for addressing major environmental issues in rural areas, merely stating "to promote" does not provide specific paths or mechanisms.
2021
Comprehensively implement the action for comprehensive utilization of straw
From "promotion" to "full implementation", it is placed on par with the recycling of agricultural films and pesticide packaging materials, and is included in a unified action framework, emphasizing large-scale and comprehensive coverage.
2022
Support the comprehensive utilization of straw
From "implementation of actions" to "policy support", the focus is on ensuring implementation through policy incentives and resource allocation. The governance focus shifts from "whether to do it" to "how well it is done".
2023
Accelerate the promotion of livestock breeding using straw; establish and improve the collection, utilization and treatment system for agricultural waste such as straw.
Clarify the specific utilization paths for straw as feed (for livestock), and integrate them with the agricultural-herbal circulation system; for the first time, propose a complete chain system of collection, utilization, and treatment, shifting from single utilization to closed-loop governance.
2024
Not specifically mentioning straw, it is integrated into the comprehensive prevention and control of agricultural non-point source pollution and the integrated farming and breeding cycle.
The utilization of straw is no longer treated separately. It is regarded as an integral part of agricultural green development and the control of non-point source pollution, and emphasizes the deep integration with the farming and breeding models.
2025
Support the comprehensive utilization of straw, precisely delineate the areas prohibited from burning, and implement the requirements for burning control in accordance with the law and regulations.
Clearly, the strategy is to adopt a dual-drive approach of "utilization and control", aiming to promote the ban of burning through utilization and ensure utilization through control.
2026
Enhance the ability of comprehensive utilization of straw
From "supporting utilization" to "capacity building", focusing on comprehensive improvement in terms of technology, facilities, and mechanisms, and emphasizing sustainable and high-quality utilization.
The utilization of straw is divided into two parts.
Control of straw burning: From the previous blanket administrative push to ban straw burning without any specific requirements, it has been upgraded to precisely delineating the areas for straw burning prohibition and implementing control measures in accordance with laws and regulations, thus saying goodbye to the "one-size-fits-all" administrative control approach.
Utilization of straw development: From merely promoting utilization through policy support, it has shifted to focusing on the construction of comprehensive utilization capabilities, establishing a complete chain of collection, utilization and processing system, and deeply integrating it with the breeding-farming cycle, so as to lay a solid foundation for the long-term utilization through industrial development.
Attached: The description of rural ecological environment in the No. 1 Central Document from 2021 to 2026
The 2020 Central Document No. 1
(13) Addressing key environmental issues in rural areas. We will vigorously promote the utilization of livestock and poultry manure as a resource, and complete the construction of manure treatment facilities for large-scale livestock farms. We will carry out actions to reduce the use of pesticides and fertilizers, strengthen the treatment of agricultural film pollution, and promote the comprehensive utilization of straw. In key waters of the Yangtze River, permanent fishing bans will be implemented and the re-employment of fishermen will be carried out. Effective management models for protecting black soil will be promoted, erosion gullies will be controlled and treated, and the action plan for protective tillage in Northeast black soil will be initiated. We will steadily implement the control and restoration of soil pollution on agricultural land. The comprehensive treatment of over-exploitation of groundwater in North China will continue. Pilot projects for comprehensive improvement of rural water systems will be launched.
The 2021 Central Document No. 1
(12) Promote green agricultural development. Implement the national black soil protection project and promote the conservation tillage model. Improve the system of fallow and rotation of cultivated land. Continuously reduce the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides and increase their efficiency. Promote green control of crop pests and diseases using products and technologies. Strengthen the utilization of livestock manure resources. Fully implement the comprehensive utilization of straw and the recovery of agricultural films and pesticide packaging, and promote the research and promotion of degradable agricultural films. Build a number of agricultural source pollution control demonstration counties in the Yangtze River Economic Belt and the Yellow River Basin. Support the construction of national agricultural green development pilot areas. Strengthen the supervision of agricultural product quality and food safety, develop green agricultural products, organic agricultural products and geographical indication agricultural products, implement the system of qualified certificates for edible agricultural products, and promote the creation of national agricultural product quality safety counties. Strengthen the protection of aquatic biological resources, promote the construction of fishery law enforcement capabilities focusing on the Yangtze River, ensure the effective implementation of the ten-year fishing ban order, and do a good job in the resettlement and security of retired fishermen. Develop water-saving agriculture and dryland agriculture. Promote comprehensive control of desertification, rocky desertification, soil erosion on sloping farmland, soil pollution prevention, and groundwater protection and over-exploitation in key areas. Implement river system connection and rural water system improvement, strengthen the river and lake chief system. Consolidate the achievements of returning farmland and grassland to forests and grasslands, improve policies and proceed in an orderly manner. Implement the forest chief system. Scientifically carry out large-scale national greening actions. Improve the policy for subsidies and rewards for grassland ecological protection, comprehensively implement grassland prohibition of grazing, rotational grazing and rest grazing, strengthen the prevention of grassland rodent damage, and steadily restore the ecological environment of grasslands.
The 2022 Central Document No. 1
(20) Promote green development in agriculture and rural areas. Strengthen comprehensive management of agricultural non-point source pollution, further reduce agricultural input use, enhance the utilization of livestock manure and wastewater, promote the scientific use and recycling of agricultural films, and support the comprehensive utilization of straw. Establish national agricultural green development pilot zones. Conduct evaluations of agricultural green development. Carry out water system connectivity and water beauty village construction. Implement major ecological protection and restoration projects to restore river and lake ecological environments, strengthen the protection and restoration of natural forests and grassland recuperation. Scientifically promote afforestation. Support the development of pastoral areas and the increase of herdsmen's income, and implement the third round of grassland ecological protection subsidy and reward policies. Research and apply carbon reduction and carbon sequestration agricultural technologies, and explore the establishment of a mechanism for realizing the value of carbon sink products. Implement major biodiversity protection projects. Consolidate the achievements of the fishing ban in the Yangtze River, strengthen the resettlement guarantee for those who have been removed from fishing, and strengthen regular law enforcement and supervision. Strengthen the protection of aquatic organisms, and regulate the release of breeding and stocking. Build a nature reserve system with national parks as the main body. Issue guidelines for promoting rural ecological revitalization.
The 2023 Central Document No. 1
(4) Establish a diversified food supply system. Vigorously develop silage feed and accelerate the promotion of livestock feeding using straw.
(13) Promote green agricultural development. Accelerate the popularization of technologies for reducing agricultural input and enhancing efficiency, promote water and fertilizer integration, and establish a system for collecting, utilizing and treating agricultural waste such as straw, plastic film, pesticide packaging waste, and livestock and poultry manure. Promote the construction of green agricultural development pilot zones and experimental bases. Improve the system for fallow and rotation of cultivated land. Strengthen the source prevention of heavy metal pollution in agricultural land. Enhance the safe utilization and risk control of contaminated farmland. Establish a monitoring system for agricultural ecological environment protection. Introduce regulations on ecological protection compensation. Strictly implement the system of no fishing and no fishing during certain periods, implement the ten-year fishing ban in the Yangtze River, and consolidate the achievements in the resettlement of fishery-dependent fishermen. Continuously carry out the recovery action for major rivers, scientifically implement comprehensive improvement of rural rivers and lakes. Strengthen the construction and renovation of silt dams in the Loess Plateau. Increase efforts in grassland protection and restoration. Consolidate the achievements in returning farmland and grassland to forests and grasslands, and implement relevant subsidy policies. Crack down on the illegal introduction of alien species, launch a major攻坚action for controlling major invasive species， strengthen the regulation and management of "exotic pets" trading and release.
The 2024 Central Document No. 1
(19) Strengthening rural ecological civilization construction. Continuously carry out the battle against pollution in agriculture and rural areas, and comprehensively promote rural ecological protection and restoration. Actively promote the reduction and improvement of fertilizer and pesticide use, and promote the adoption of a crop-livestock recycling model. Implement comprehensive prevention and control of agricultural non-point source pollution on a county-wide basis. Conduct thorough investigations and rectifications of sources of heavy metal pollution in cultivated land soil. Strengthen the quality control and product testing of agricultural products at the production site and enhance the overall food safety supervision capabilities from "farm to table". Promote the reduction of the use of veterinary antibiotics. Strengthen the prevention and control of major animal diseases and key zoonotic diseases. Continuously consolidate the achievements of the ten-year fishing ban in the Yangtze River. Accelerate the control and restoration of soil erosion on sloping farmland in the upper and middle reaches of the Yangtze River, and promote deep water-saving and water-conserving measures in the Yellow River Basin. Promote water system connectivity, water source conservation, and soil and water conservation, restore river and lake ecological environments, and strengthen the governance of excessive groundwater extraction. Strengthen comprehensive prevention and control of desertification, and explore the "grass-light complementation" model. Fully tackle the battle of the "Three North" projects, encourage farmers to participate in project construction through various means. Optimize the subsidy and compensation policies for grassland protection, and improve the constraints on overgrazing. Strengthen forest and grassland fire prevention. Implement rescue and protection actions for ancient trees and famous trees.
The 2025 Central Document No. 1
(19) Strengthening rural environmental governance. Intensify the battle against pollution in agriculture and rural areas, continuously improve rural environmental conditions, and build beautiful villages. Improve the implementation mechanism for rural toilet renovations, and establish a socialized management and service system. Select appropriate rural sewage treatment models based on local conditions, promote the coordinated treatment of toilet waste and domestic sewage, and basically eliminate large areas of black and odorous water bodies in rural areas. Promote the reduction of waste at the source, local and nearby treatment, and resource utilization of rural household garbage. Strengthen systematic governance in areas with prominent agricultural non-point source pollution, enhance the utilization of livestock manure and the treatment of aquatic farm effluents. Promote the safe utilization of contaminated farmland, strengthen the tracing and remediation of heavy metal pollution in agricultural land soil. Support the comprehensive utilization of straw, precisely define the areas for no-burning, and implement the control requirements for no-burning in accordance with the law and regulations. Vigorously promote the "Three North" project, strengthen resource coordination and joint prevention and control, and enhance the overall effect of sand control and desertification control. Strengthen grassland ecological protection and restoration. Promote the construction of ecological clean small watersheds. Firmly implement the ten-year fishing ban in the Yangtze River, strengthen the rescue of rare and endangered species in the Yangtze River and the ecological restoration of important habitats.
The 2026 Central Document No. 1
(18) Comprehensively promote ecological protection and restoration in rural areas. Continuously improve the rural environment, resolve issues such as rural toilet renovation and garbage encroachment on villages with a "no-negotiation" spirit, improve the socialized management service system for rural toilets, enhance the village appearance, and build beautiful villages. Select appropriate rural sewage treatment models based on local conditions, optimize and adjust inefficient and ineffective sewage treatment facilities, and accelerate the elimination of rural black and odorous water bodies. Promote the reduction of waste at the source of rural household sewage, and establish a regular operation guarantee mechanism for collection, transportation and disposal. Promote green production and water-saving irrigation technologies, and develop ecological and low-carbon agriculture. Carry out targeted efforts to combat pollution in agriculture and rural areas, strengthen systematic governance in areas with prominent agricultural non-point source pollution, promote the tracing, rectification and safe utilization of soil heavy metal pollution, and comprehensively address environmental issues related to livestock manure and marine aquaculture. Strengthen the utilization of straw. Strengthen the systematic governance and ecological protection of important rivers, lakes and reservoirs, and promote comprehensive water and soil erosion control in key river basins and regions. Firmly implement the ten-year fishing ban in the Yangtze River. Strengthen entry-exit animal and plant quarantine and the prevention and control of invasive species. Comprehensively promote the "Three North" project construction, implement project implementation methods such as work-for-relief, and consolidate and expand the achievements in sand control and desertification control. Improve the fourth round of grassland ecological protection and subsidy reward policies.
