March 2, 2020

 

China to differentiate livestock and poultry category after ban on wildlife trade

 

Authorities in China are discerning livestock and poultry from wildlife after a ban was imposed on wildlife consumption by the country's top legislature, reportedChina Global Television Network.

 

Han Xu, Bureau of Fisheries deputy director under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs said the definition of livestock and poultry are animals that have been bred captively for a long time and publicly accepted.

 

He added that the physical appearance of livestock and poultry should differ from wild species, with a disease prevention and control system in place.

 

Among the animals not included in the list of livestock are civet cats, an immediate SARS virus host.

 

Since 2006, a national survey has been conducted by the ministry focusing on China's livestock and poultry industries, which include animal heritage research to regulate what animals are fit to be raised and what should be banned.

 

Han said a draft list has been sent to the State Council for approval to be published.

 

The National People's Congress Standing Committee said all wildlife under the country's Wild Animal Protection Law, other laws and all terrestrial wildlife (including animals bred artificially or farmed) have been banned from consumption.

 

Yang Heqing, Legislative Affairs Commission's economic law officedeputy director said the banned list does not include common livestock and poultry such as swine, cattle and sheep. Also excluded from the banned list are pigeons and rabbits, animals that have been raised on farms and part of alleviating local poverty.

 

Yang said these animals will be classified under livestock and poultry, and a list of defined livestock and poultry should be published by relevant departments from the central government.

 

Liang Aifu, a State Administration for Market Regulation official said China is closely monitoring illegal wildlife trade via e-commerce, along with secret code words used in the industry.

 

He said 17,000 online stores or accounts pertaining to wildlife trade has been closed, with 750,000 information on the topic blocked or removed from major e-commerce platforms in the country.

 

He added that online catering platforms have been told to block wildlife dishes information and locations of wildlife restaurants have been removed from mapping firms.

Liu Xuejun, food and drug criminal investigation bureaudeputy director under the Ministry of Public Securitysaid law enforcement related to illegal wildlife activities will be intensified to protect public health and security.

 

-      China Global Television Network