China permits limited trade of rhino, tiger goods
BEIJING: China on Monday announced it was authorising the trade of rhinoceros and tiger parts for scientific, medical and cultural purposes, a move wildlife conservationists fear could have “devastating consequences” globally.
The trade of rhinos, tigers, and their related products will be allowed under ‘special’ circumstances, the State Council, or cabinet, said in a statement.
Those include scientific research, sales of cultural relics, and “medical research or in healing”.
The newly sanctioned areas of trade will be highly regulated.
Only doctors at hospitals recognised by the State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine will be allowed to use powdered forms of rhino horn and tiger bones.
Tourism and cultural heritage authorities will also have to sign off on any rhino and tiger products that are used for “temporary cultural exchange”.
Trade volume will be “strictly controlled”, the State Council said, with any trade outside of authorised use cases to remain banned.
China prohibited the trade of rhino horn and tiger bones in 1993 but a black market has flourished, with many products entering the country through Vietnam, according to an investigation conducted last year by the Elephant Action League conservation group.