The State Council of the Peoples Republic of China announced the lift on the ban on the use, trade and sale of rhino and tiger producers under ‘special circumstances’ on 29 October. The lifting of the ban would be strictly regulated and controlled, according to the Eastern nation. The statement prompted the South Africa Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) to issue a response.
The Department of Environmental Affairs was informed on the new state regulation through various media reports and will be conducting in-depth talks with the Peoples Republic of China. “As the department has recently learnt about the lifting of the ban, discussions will need to be held with the People’s Republic of China regarding the announcement,” said DEA in a statement.
Media reports indicated the use of rhino and tiger products will be allowed to further scientific research with the collection of genetic material, showcasing of animal skins, organs and other tissues. These goods may be used in the import and sale of cultural relics. Reports further illustrated the use of rhino horn and tiger bone in medicinal healing or research will be limited to captive-bred tigers and rhinos.
Removal of the ban includes powered forms of rhino horn and bones from tigers, which can only be used in qualified hospitals by certified doctors recognized by the State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Species decline
The IUCN latest report says that the black rhino population is on the rise but this cannot be said for other rhino species. The last Nothern white male rhino was killed earlier in the year, destroying any possibility for future species growth with only two female species of its kind left in the world.
Image: supplied
Tiger population numbers are marked as endangered on the IUCN Red list, with numbers continually decreasing.
WWF Director of Wildlife policy, Leigh Henry expresses her disappointment in China’s decision to allow the trade rhino horn and tiger bone.
‘China’s decision to reopen a legalized trade in farmed tiger bone and rhino horn reverses 25 years of conservation progress in reducing the demand for these products in traditional Chinese medicine and improving the effectiveness of law enforcement,’ she said.
The international World Wildlife Fund (WWF) has responded to the recent announcement, pointing out that China’s efforts to ban ivory trade have positively impact on elephant species numbers.
‘This devastating reversal by China runs completely counter to the image of wildlife champion the world had come to expect with China’s ivory trade ban, which was such a positive development for the world’s elephants,’ Henry said.
A statement issued by the DEA explains that further research needs to be done on whether this will have a direct impact on species numbers in the country.
‘It is unclear at this stage what the effects of lifting the ban will be on the domestic trade and use of rhino horn in the People’s Republic of China and we will have to carefully monitor whether or not there will be an impact that affects South Africa,’ said DEA in a statement.
The DEA has enforced trade of rhino horn is strictly regulated and the commercial international trade of rhino horn is prohibited and is committed to ensuring the growth of the country’s endangered species.
‘The South African Government remains committed to a well-regulated process implementing its domestic legislation, as well as all CITES provisions, to manage the trade in endangered species, such as rhino, in a manner that is not detrimental to the survival of the species in the wild.’
Picture: Unsplash
