[ad_1]
China announced on Monday that it would overturn a 25-year ban and that it would allow the use and trade of rhinoceros and tiger parts.
The State Council of China said the ban, promulgated in 1993, would be partially lifted to allow tiger and rhinoceros parties to be used for medical, scientific research and medical purposes. of "cultural exchanges", emphasizing that trade will be strictly controlled and that products must come from animals in captivity.
But wildlife activists are exasperated by the overthrow. According to them, this measure could further threaten the extinction of tigers and rhinos by encouraging smugglers to poach and store goods for a country that places exceptional value on animals.
"If a poacher thinks it's even possible to launder the product, that will be enough to expand his business," says Wildlife Trade Specialist Colman O'Criodain at the World Wildlife Fund. "Basically, people are betting on extinction."
According to WWF figures, there are an estimated 6,500 tigers in captivity in China in 2010. The number of rhinos still in the wild is estimated at 30,000, according to the New York Time.
This decision marks a major turning point for China, which has emerged as a leader in climate change initiatives and has recently taken steps to reduce its image by fueling the slaughter and illegal sale of animals. endangered. Earlier this year, Beijing announced the ban on any ivory trade in the country.
No lifting was given Monday to lift the ban on tigers and rhinos. Experts attribute this pivot to China's encouragement to encourage traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), a multi-millennial medical practice based on natural and herbal remedies. According to TCM, rhinoceros horns can be used to treat conditions such as fever and food poisoning, while tiger bones transformed into wine would improve health and masculinity.
The practice of TCM is estimated at more than $ 100 billion, with more than 500,000 practitioners, according to the Time.
"It's a reaffirmation of traditional Chinese culture, not criticizing this culture, but the problem is that it does not seem to exclude endangered wildlife," O'Criodain told TIME. "But in this day of age, we are much more aware of [traditional culture’s] effect on the ecosystem. "
According to the state announcement, tiger and rhinoceros products can only come from authorized distributors and can only be used by licensed physicians. But experts worry that potential consumers are looking for parts elsewhere, which could have repercussions worldwide, especially for tiger farms in Southeast Asia and rhino ranches in South Africa.
"We recognize that this is a major threat to their survival, especially for these two species," said O'Criodain.
