Chinese Government Pays Farmers To Transition Away From Wildlife Trade

Farmers in China are being offered a cash incentive to transition away from the now illegal trade of wild animals.

A number of farmers in Hunan and Jiangxi provinces are eligible to receive compensation to enable them to move to alternative farming practices. A similar initiative is set to launch in Guangdong and Guangxi provinces shortly.

The trade and consumption of wildlife was banned in China on February 24 due to the reported link with the COVID-19 outbreak.

The Humane Society (HSI) explained that the money will allow farmers to “transition to alternative livelihoods, including growing fruit, vegetables, tea plants or herbs for traditional Chinese medicine.”

“Implicated In Disease Spread”

“China’s wildlife markets, where wild animals are sold and slaughtered on site, have been implicated in disease spread in the past” said HSI.

“We commend the Chinese authorities for staying the course on ending the trade in wildlife for food, and the four provinces for their practical approach to ending it.”

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Chinese Wildlife Trade

Wild animals — such as civets and cobras — have traditionally been bread in captivity for food in China. Although this is now illegal, a loophole still allows for the trade of these animals for medicinal purposes, as well as for fur and research.

“This creates a potential loophole for traffickers who may exploit the nonfood exemptions to sell or trade live wildlife” explained the Wildlife Conservation Society.

Do you think the Chinese government is doing enough to protect wildlife? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!