China Moves to Ban Wild Animal Consumption... Criminal Penalties for Violations

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] Local governments in China are rushing to pass laws banning the consumption of wild animals without official approval. As various wild animal consumption customs have been pointed out as one of the sources of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), the people's congresses of each province are enacting laws prohibiting the consumption of wild animals through voting.

According to Xinhua News Agency on the 19th, on the 18th, the Standing Committee of the People's Congress in Fujian Province passed a bill banning the consumption of wild animals without permission through a vote. According to the related regulations, the wild animals prohibited from consumption include species that the Chinese authorities and the Fujian provincial government prioritize for protection, major species banned for consumption announced by relevant departments of the State Council, as well as terrestrial species that naturally grow and reproduce in the wild environment.

To strengthen the management and supervision of the wild animal industry chain, the bill includes provisions that prohibit hunting, trading, importing/exporting, storing, and transporting wild animals that are banned from consumption. It also stipulates that internet platforms, markets, restaurants, and other venues must not provide places for trading or consumption, and that warehouse and transportation operators must not provide services related to wild animals. Restaurant operators are prohibited from attracting customers by using the names, nicknames, or logos of wild animals banned from consumption in advertisements, signboards, or menus.

The Fujian provincial authorities plan to impose criminal penalties for violations of the related regulations and also post illegal activities on credit information platforms. Earlier, on the 14th, Tianjin City passed a similar bill banning the consumption of wild animals and controlling their trade, just like Fujian Province. This movement has continued following Chinese President Xi Jinping's call on the 1st to improve the epidemic prevention and control system and his emphasis on the need to revise the Wild Animal Protection Law. Previously, the Chinese government announced that from the 10th, all trade and commerce involving wild animals would be completely banned and subject to crackdowns.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.