Monday

China bans wild animals from official dinner tables

After years of requests from the international community Beijing recognizes this practice as a "global threat". It involves pandas, rhinos, pangolins and sharks: used in traditional medicine or considered "treats" these animals are in danger of disappearing. The penalties for violating the new law range from 3 to 10 years in prison.

Beijing ( AsiaNews) - Eating or hunting rare animals for food is now a criminal offense in China. The government has approved an amendment to the Criminal Code which sets 3 to 10 years in prison for those who "knowingly eat or trade ", the meat of the 420 species currently at risk across the Chinese territory. They include the giant pandas, golden monkeys, Asian black bears and pangolins. Shark fins and rhino horns, key elements in traditional Chinese medicine have also been banned.

The decision was made this morning by the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, which represents the national parliament. After years of requests from the international community, the Standing Committee defined the hunting of endangered species a "global threat". In addition, the Commission has "blamed" wealthy Asian consumers who, thanks to a high volume of cash, foment trade in rare animals for personal purposes.

In Asian tradition, some breeds are associated with well-being and vigor. Giant turtle soup ensures a long life, bear's paw helps sexuality, and powdered rhino horn is used to heal fever, epilepsy, malaria, poisoning and abscesses. Given these beliefs, the hunting and trading of these animals are very popular activities: announcing the reform today, state news agency Xinhua claims that "up to now those involved in these practices went unpunished".
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Responses to "China bans the hunting and trading of 420 animal species at risk of extinction"

  1. Anonymous says:

    finally they have the larger poulation they should have done this long ago

  2. Unknown says:

    What about the tigers that they use for wine and crush there bones for magical meds. are they going to stop that plus starving them to death so they say they died of natural causes: There are ways to word things and still get around one law and then they are still killing them and not getting in trouble for it.

  3. Anonymous says:

    Finally! Now, what about the other countries that are still getting away with it! Like the screwed up Whalers! Ivory traders! Tiger and bear hunters! And our own stupid BLM, that wants to kill off the Wolves and Horses!

  4. Anonymous says:

    Better late than never, but in Chinas case better late just doesnt seem to cut it.

  5. Unknown says:

    That is the door we've been waiting for.we now know their is a way to stop the slathering of other wildlife.

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