06 Sep 2007 - TRAFFIC,
the wildlife trade monitoring network —
a joint programme of WWF and IUCN — has
published a snapshot of the state of wildlife
trade in China in 2006.
The report, in English and Chinese, is
the first in an annual series on emerging
trends in China’s wildlife trade, and provides
up-to-date reviews of work being carried
out to prevent illegal and support sustainable
trade in China.
“The report provides an overview of wildlife
trade over the past year and examines what
impact China's consumption is having on
globally important biodiversity ‘hotspots’,
and what emerging trends there are in wildlife
trade,” said Dr Xu Hongfa, Director of TRAFFIC’s
China Programme.
The lead story focuses on the illegal trade
in tigers and other Asian big cats, whose
bones are in demand for traditional medicines
and whose skins are sought after for costumes
and decorations.
China has been at the forefront of efforts
to control this illegal trade, thanks to
a complete trade ban, implemented in 1993.
In 2006, TRAFFIC surveys found little tiger
bone available in China, with less than
3% of 663 medicine shops and dealers in
26 Chinese cities claiming to stock it.
But several businesses operating tiger farms
in China have petitioned China’s government
to ease its trade ban and allow domestic
trade in medicines made from farmed tiger.
Other issues examined in the status report
include China’s trade in live reef fish,
wood imports, and on-going challenges presented
by the illegal elephant ivory trade.
"China's economic growth is fuelling
its appetite for wildlife products,"
said Dr Sue Lieberman, Director of WWF's
Global Species Programme.
"Chinese consumers need to understand
the real cost of this consumption is the
possible extinction of threatened species
in trade. That is why we need to work to
promote the sustainable management and utilization
of wildlife resources."
