(NZ) Customs crack down on illegal bear bile imports

November 12, 2007

Customs crack down on illegal bear bile imports

Wed, 07 Nov 2007

Customs Officers are focussing more resources into catching people who try to

import bear bile into New Zealand.

Officials hope the trial of an instant testing kit will stop a trade that has

become a problem in countries selling traditional Asian medicines.

Practitioner Albert Zhang practices Chinese medicine that dates

back 3,000 years, but he has adapted original remedies for the New Zealand

market.

Zhang is one of many practitioners who has ditched a traditional practice of

using bear bile to relieve fever and clear the liver.

But he admits some clinics still sell animal products under the counter.

" Maybe some practitioners still prefer some special function of those animal

things but myself, I don't use them at all, " says Zhang.

Customs officials say while it is illegal to trade bear bile and other bear

parts, it is still a problem at our borders.

They have joined forces with animal rights group WSPA and the Ministry of

Agriculture and Forestry to test for bear bile.

MAF says they constantly come across suspect products.

Results from the new instant test kit are obtained in minutes. It will be used

to track countries receiving illegal products.

Customs officers will trial the kits for six months from December.

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