Investigation of Wildlife Use and Trade

Sustainability of wildlife use in Traditional Chinese Medicine and others

The goal is to call attention the present status of over use of wildlife including endangered species has been threatening the natural resources dramatically and urgent measures need to be taken for its sustainability. Surveys were conducted by BWG on evaluation of the impact of Traditional Chinese Medicine, bear farms and musk deer farms. Studies indicated that 40% of animals identified as medicinal ingredients were included in China's protected species list. Responses to questionnaire circulated by BWG to government sectors, medicine manufacturers and trading companies indicate that although the impact of TCM on wildlife, there is poor awareness of the impact. Even for TCM's sustainable development, over use of wildlife resources especially those endangered species must be stopped, instead, sustainable use of wildlife for TCM is strongly recommended.

Wildlife Trade Study

The goal is to better understand the role of wildlife trade and the degree to which it is unsustainable, and to formulate corrective actions. China is a major consumer of wildlife. Much of this trade involved was black market and smuggling, and these activities have become more and more prevalent since the 1980s. BWG investigations show that such consumption and trade are evidently unsustainable and are certainly negatively impacting biodiversity in the region. BWG has offered a series of recommendations and, as a result, the Beijing Workshop on Control of Wildlife Trade in the Asian Region was sponsored by Chinese government and cooperated with CITES Secretariat and TRAFFIC East Asia. Representatives from 20 Asian countries adopted the Beijing Statement on Control of Wildlife Trade in the region and illegal wildlife trade has been constrained across China's southern boundary.

Wildlife Trade has become the major impact to biodiversity in China and bordering countries Illegal trade has increased dramatically recently, greatly threatening the survival of many endangered species and greatly decreasing populations of non-listed species. Cross border wildlife trade is threatening China's wildlife and also those of neighbouring countries where sharing boundaries with Guangxi, Yunnan, Guangdong, Hainan, Hong Kong, Inner Mongolia and Xinjiang. Foreign trade of TCM has also developed to more than 120 countries or regions. In recent years the sale of the TCM in Britain and America has increased largely. BWG recommended control wildlife trade: 1). Establish comprehensive management system that strictly prevents the use of illegal destructive hunting measures, such as illegal weapons, poison, explosives, etc., and all trade in key endangered species. Set proper hunting quotas for common species to ensure sustainable harvest and trade. 2). Strengthen customs regulations, and train customs staff in intervention of illegal wildlife trade. Restrict the number of ports to increase efficiency of customs measures directed at illegally transported wildlife. 3). Develop captive breeding of a substantial number of TCM species and other economic wildlife to reduce the negative effects on biodiversity in the wild. Strictly manage the trade of captive bred specimens. 4). Improve public awareness and largely reduce the consuming requirements.