(CN) Proposed ban on eating wild animals offers public food for thought

[Guest guest]

Wednesday, July 9, 2003

South China Morning Post

http://china.scmp.com/chimain/ZZZFS977THD.html

STAFF REPORTER in Guangzhou

 

A proposal to ban the eating of all wild animals was the subject

of lively debate at a rare public forum held by the Guangdong People's

Congress yesterday.

 

Several speakers called the proposal excessive, but others spoke

in favour of the ban. People also spoke out against other post-Sars measures

which would the movement of domestic pets.

 

 

Twenty-two people - including businessmen and lawyers -

addressed the meeting on the draft public health law. About 200 members of

the public were invited to the event.

 

Zhang Yuanhao, the director of the Guangzhou patriotic health

office, opposed a blanket ban on eating wild animals and sought changes to a

clause outlawing the eating of animals which had not passed health

inspections. " The definition of wild animals is too wide, " said Mr Zhang.

 

Gao Hongdi, a member of a scientific committee of the Guangdong

People's Political Consultative Council, backed the eating of wild animals

but said there must be limits.

 

He said: " We cannot blame Sars and all other infectious diseases

on the eating of wild animals. Farm animals have more diseases than wild

animals - like mad-cow disease and foot-and-mouth disease. Wild animals

forage freely, so they are more nutritious and taste better than farm

animals, which are fed animal feed. "

 

Mr Gao argued there was a need to develop new sources of food,

and pointed out cows, goats and pigs were wild animals before they were

domesticated.

 

Li Zhika, the manager of a company that breeds peacocks for the

table, told yesterday's hearing an immediate ban would hurt those raising

wild animals.

 

" We should be allowed to consume wild animals that are permitted

by the law. We must only eat animals that are not protected and that have

been inspected, " he said.

 

At least four other speakers supported the limited consumption

of wild animals, providing they met health standards.

 

But Yang Qingyan, a Guangzhou lawyer, wanted not just a total

ban on eating wild animals but a ban on selling, killing and cooking them.

" We have to specify which animals are protected by the province. This would

strengthen awareness of animal conservation, " she said.

 

Another speaker, Chen Jieru, who runs a company importing health

supplements, opposed restrictions on keeping pets.

 

She appealed for room to be given to pets to coexist with

humans.

 

The draft law would ban pets from public places and public

transport.

 

Ms Chen said pets should be allowed to travel in taxis, if not

on buses and the subway.