TRADERS in traditional Chinese medicine say US politicians are racist for proposing a global ban on the sale of bear gall bladders.
Licensed hunters kill 40,000 North American bears each year, but a ban - proposed by conservationists and US politicians - would put their organs off-limits to the traditional Chinese medicine industry.
Bile from the bears' gall bladders is a key ingredient in Chinese medicine used to treat cancer, heart disease, liver ailments and burns.
Some species, such as the North American black bear - listed in Appendix 2 of the Convention in International Trade in Endangered Species of flora and fauna - can be legally traded.
But endangered species, such as the Asiatic black bear - listed in Appendix 1 of the convention - are banned from international trade.
Conservationists say traders are still smuggling bear parts and claim the 'grey area' causes problems in differentiating between banned and legal gall bladders.
