After uproar in China, rare animals to remain off the menu
Animal rights activists hail ban on consumption but seek more clarity on commercial use of wildlife
A ban on eating or selling rare wildlife looks set to stay, following a public outcry over a planned amendment to the law.
A plan to update the Wildlife Conservation Act of 1998 had caused uproar when a draft amendment abandoned a clause stating that producing, selling or eating rare wildlife or related products were criminal acts.
But China’s top legislative body said yesterday that the clause would be reinstated into the draft amendment, China News Agency reported.
Making a killing from killing: Chinese activists fear revision of wildlife protection law will only increase abuse of animals
When passed, the amendment will be the first since the Wildlife Conservation Act was passed in 1988. The NPC Standing Committee held a deliberation session on the first draft amendment in December.
An Xiang, director of Beijing Dexiang Law Firm, said the second draft showed authorities had responded to criticism that the amendment was too lax when the first draft was released.