Tougher regulation to combat trade in endangered species
A new regulation to protect endangered species is to be implemented in four months, a move welcomed by a conservation group as a positive step.
The regulation - implementing the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (Cites) - was passed by the State Council and endorsed by Premier Wen Jiabao last month. It will come into effect on September 1, Xinhua said.
Cites is an agreement between governments to ensure that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival.
The regulation bans the import and export of endangered species for commercial purposes. Approval from relevant government departments for purposes such as scientific research, cultural exchange and human breeding are allowed.
It also lays down the requirements and procedures for seeking permits and the punishments for traffickers and government officials who violate the regulation.
Meng Xianlin, a deputy director-general of the Cites Management Authority, which represents China in implementing the Cites, said the regulation was more comprehensive than previous individual regulations.
'It is a detailed regulation that covers from issuing permits, enforcement to law violation. Previously, the enforcement procedures were made known [to various departments] in the form of government notices,' he said. 'It is a step forward in enforcing protection and combating illegal trafficking of endangered species.'
However, Mr Meng dismissed that its promulgation - 25 years after China joined Cites in 1981 - was in response to trafficking in some areas on the mainland, clarifying that it was to go in line with administrative and trading developments only.
Grace Gabriel, Asia regional director for the International Fund for Animal Welfare, said she was 'pleasantly surprised' that the regulation identified the need for more law enforcement and stringent control, including checking government officials.
'If they [the government officials] violate the law, they should be punished as well. I felt it was a really good point,' she said.
Ms Gabriel said Cites increasingly realised it lacked enforcement force and had since worked with Interpol to curb trafficking.
'I think China is more and more integrated with international convention and more fulfilling to the international community,' she said.
Last week Hong Kong customs officers seized 605 ivory tusks worth $8 million.
