Update: ACRES Endangered Species-Friendly TCM Labelling Scheme

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The Straits Times (Singapore)

August 16 2008

 

TCM firms against wildlife abuse

 

One in four traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) companies is publicising its

stand against using products from endangered species, says wildlife protection

agency Animal Concerns Research and Education Society (Acres).

Spokesman Charlene Tham said a total of 274 shops from 189 TCM companies here

display a label to show their commitment to the cause.

 

The scheme it launched last year with the Singapore TCM Organisations Committee

fights the exploitation of endangered animals. These include the moonbear, which

is kept alive while its bile is withdrawn through a tube stuck in an open wound.

 

TCM shops supporting the cause receive a label to advertise that no endangered

species products are sold. In 2006, Acres reported that 23 of 115 TCM shops it

surveyed were found offering alleged bear products for sale; a drop from 2001

when 50 in 68 surveyed said they did.

 

The labelling scheme is funded by the animal welfare charity Animals Asia

Foundation.

 

 

 

938Live (Radio)

14 August 2008 TCM community helps end the trade in endangered species The

Traditional community is showing its support for the end of

illegal trading of endangered species.

The Animal Concerns Research and Education Society or ACRES announced that about

1 in 4 TCM companies in Singapore have signed on to a labelling scheme launched

in March last year. Over 270 TCM shops now display the ACRES and Singapore TCM

Organisations Committe or STOC Endangered Species Friendly label.

The scheme funded by the Animals Asia Foundation, aims to end the trade in

endangered species for TCM in Singapore. CEO Jill Robinson added that they are

glad to support this Endangered species friendly TCM label where everyone can do

their part in helping to protect bears and all endangered species.

ACRES latest available data showed that 20 percent of TCM shops surveyed were

found offering parts of endangered species back in 2006.

This is half the number found in a survey done in 2001.

 

 

 

TODAY (Singapore)15 August 2008 Identify endangered species-friendly shops ABOUT

one in four Traditional (TCM) companies in Singapore have

pledged not to sell products derived from endangered species, according to the

Animal Research and Education Society (Acres). A total of 274 shops from 189 TCM

companies, including Singapore Exchange-listed firm Eu Yan Sang, now display the

Acres and Stoc (Singapore TCM Organisations Committee) endangered

species-friendly label. The label, launched in March 2007, helps consumers

identify shops that do not sell products made from endangered species. " We are

mindful that in the process of assuring quality, we also act responsibly not to

harm the environment. This is why we do not sell any parts of animals that are

classified under the endangered species and are in full support of the

initiative by Acres and Stoc, " said Mr Vincent Lim, managing director of the

128-year-old Eu Yan Sang. Undercover Acres investigators have found alleged

tiger bones, penises and paws, as well as bear products on sale here. In 2006,

23 TCM shops or 20 per cent of those surveyed, offered bear products to Acres

investigators, compared to 50 shops, or 73.5 per cent of those surveyed, in

2001. While the investigations have shown a large drop in the sale of endangered

species products for TCM in recent years, the continued presence of such trade

fuels the exploitation of wildlife, Acres said.

 

 

Amy Corrigan (BSc) Director of Research and EducationAnimal Concerns Research

and Education Society (ACRES)www.acres.org.sg

 

30 Mandai Estate #05-06Mandai Industrial BuildingSingapore 729918(O): +65 6581

2488(F): +65 6581 6318(HP): +65 8168 4355

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