Pet shops have been moved out of local farmers' markets after a new measure was adopted to control infectious diseases carried by animals.

A spokesman for the municipal urban administration bureau told the Shenzhen Daily that they have relocated all pet shops from local farmers' markets between April and May.

"The move is aimed at separating pet dogs and cats from poultry and other edible animals sold in farmers' markets," he said.

The measure is part of a new city regulation on pet breeding and selling, which will be implemented in July.

According to the revised regulation issued by the municipal government, pet shops are banned from residential areas and office buildings for sanitary reasons. People violating the rule will be fined between 2,000 yuan (US$250) and 5,000 yuan.

Under the new rule, dog raisers must register their dogs with the urban management bureau and pay a fee of 300 yuan each year.

Cao Fanhua, secretary general of the Shenzhen Pet Association, said pets can be bought at markets selling flowers, plants and animals in central Futian and Nanshan districts.

"The Futian flowers and plants market is located next to Lianhua'ercun, while the Nanshan one next to Nantou High School is scheduled to open in August," Cao said.

However, the new measure doesn't affect pet shops located outside farmers' markets. A saleswoman for a licensed pet shop called Beibei on Badeng Street told the Shenzhen Daily that they had not received any notice from the government concerning this issue.

Guangzhou applied similar measures to separate pet shops, farmers' markets and residential areas last year.

Editor: Yan