Renewable Revolution

EcoWatch



By Lorraine Chow

Nov. 12, 2018 10:26AM EST

SNIPPET:

Great news from China! Following intense international backlash, the Chinese government said Monday that it has postponed a regulation that would have allowed the use of tiger bone and rhino horn for medicine, research and other purposes.

In October, China alarmed animal rights activists around the world when it weakened a 25-year-old ban on the trading of the animal parts. Conservationists said it would be akin to signing a "death warrant" for endangered tiger and rhino populations.

Ding Xuedong, the executive deputy secretary-general, told the state news agency Xinhua that the October regulation was "postponed after study."

China will continue to enforce its 1993 ban on the import, export and sale of rhinos, tigers and their byproducts, he said.

"I would like to reiterate that the Chinese government has not changed its stance on wildlife protection and will not ease the crackdown on illegal trafficking and trade of rhinos, tigers and their byproducts and other criminal activities," Ding added.

The October plan  would have allowed the trade of rhino horns and tiger bones from captive animals for use in medical and scientific research , education and "cultural exchanges," Reuters reported.

Read more:

https://www.ecowatch.com/rhinos-tigers-parts-ban-china-2619363455.html