China to Enact New Wildlife Trade Law

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China to Enact New Wildlife Trade Law

Voice of America

By Benjamin Robertson

Beijing

31 August 2006

 

Conservationists have cautiously welcomed a new law that comes into effect

in China this week to codify existing treaties on the trade of endangered

flora and fauna. Trade in some ingredients for traditional Chinese medicine,

such as tiger bone, has helped push some species to the verge of extinction.

 

The new Chinese legislation outlaws the import and export of rare animals

and plants for commercial purposes. Exceptions will be made for scientific

research, propagation, and cultural exchange.

 

The law comes into effect Friday and codifies an international agreement

China signed in 1981. The Convention on International Trade in Endangered

Species, known as CITES, prohibits the sale of endangered flora and fauna.

 

Environmental and animal activists hope China's new regulations will result

in a crackdown on the trade in endangered species, including high-profile

animals like the Tibetan antelope, or Shatoosh, killed for its fine wool.

 

Sun Shan of the Conservation International China Program says that in

passing the legislation, the Chinese government has established clearer

lines of responsibility.

 

" I hope it will have a big impact as illegal wildlife trade is still

threatening wildlife both inside China and outside China. And by having this

legislation I hope China will continue its regional leadership in combating

illegal wildlife trade, " said.

 

Some observers question the Chinese authorities' ability to implement the

laws in a country where law enforcement is often hampered by lack of

resources.

 

Under existing regulations, dating back to 1993, the trade in tiger bone and

rhino horn is illegal. But there are several farms in China that breed

tigers and animal conversation groups say they provide tiger parts for the

traditional Chinese medicine trade.

 

Lisa Hua at the International Fund for Animal Welfare says these farms are

only encouraging the trade in the endangered species and this contributes to

the poaching of wild tigers.

 

" The government needs to take the lead to enforce the law and strengthen

their law enforcement and management capacity to avoid poaching and illegal

deals from happening. And on other side public need to be educated to be

aware of the issue so they will know tiger not only solution for the illness

they have, " said Lisa Hua.

 

Ultimately, activists say, education is the key to stamping out the trade.

So long as people believe tiger bones and other exotic animals or plants

will give them a long and healthy life, they will continue to buy them.

 

Some studies put the number of tigers in the wild at fewer than 5,000.

 

http://www.voanews.com/english/2006-08-31-voa16.cfm

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China finally acts to protect endangered species

Scotsman

31-Aug-06

 

TWENTY-ONE years after first agreeing to do so, China will today outlaw the

sale of internationally endangered flora and fauna.

 

Offering protection to 28,000 types of plant and 5,000 species of animal,

including the Chinese giant salamander, sturgeon and the Tibetan antelope,

prized internationally for its fine wool, the new regulations will ban the

import and export of endangered species for commercial purposes.

 

In 1993, China outlawed the use of tiger bones and rhino horns in

traditional medicine. However, a recent investigative report in the China

Youth Daily detailed how tiger farms are fermenting the carcases of tigers

in giant vats of wine. The resulting tonic is then openly sold as a supposed

cure for bone ailments and a variety of diseases, including malaria.

 

There are estimated to be fewer than 5,000 tigers left in the wild.

Entrepreneurs and local governments, though, have bred several thousand

tigers on farms.

 

http://news.scotsman.com/international.cfm?id=1290222006