...Unfortunately, the above statement from a recently
circulating
article is completely untrue...
You may have heard of the agreement that Animals Asia
Foundation (AAF) has arranged with the authorities in the Sichuan
Province, China. This agreement will allow AAF to re-home 500 bears from
the worst bear farms, when these farms are closed during the next 2-5
years. This is good news for these bears.
However, WSPA's investigations of the Chinese bear bile
farms in 1999 and 2000, has revealed that several of the large bear bile
farms have expansion plans. One farm, in particular, had 800 bears in
February 2000 and plans to have 1000 bears by the end of 2000.
Therefore, China has no intention of bringing an end to this industry.
Currently, there is an international ban on the trade in
bear parts and products (including bile). However, China has a surplus
of bear bile. Much of this bile is being used in inessential products
such as bear wine and tonics. At some stage in the future China may try
to obtain legal international trade for this product. Dr Fan Zhiyong,
the official in charge of the Chinese CITES (Convention on International
Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) Management
Authority, has stated that China would like to export bear bile to
consumers in Japan, Korea and other countries.
Therefore, the reality of the Chinese bear farming industry is not good.
We need to maintain pressure on China to prevent them gaining legal
international trade in bear bile and other products, and to totally end
the bear farming industry in China.
Go on to Job
Opportunity
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