CHINESE LEADERS PUSH SUSTAINABLE MEDICINE
T he Environmental Investigation Agency released a report in 2023, exposing three major Chinese drug makers for including endangered animal parts as ingredients in traditional medicine, implicating some of the world’s largest banks as investors in these companies. However, the tides might be turning slowly. In response to escalating concerns around the depletion of rare medicinal animals and plants used in traditional Chinese medicine, all eyes are now on leaders to shift the focus to more sustainable alternatives. Zhao Wanping, deputy to the National People’s Congress and vice president of the Anhui Academy of Agricultural Sciences, has called for immediate measures to address the issue. Speaking to The Paper in China, Wanping emphasised the critical need for substitutes for endangered medicinal materials and advocated for stricter regulations to safeguard these resources. China boasts over a thousand varieties of Chinese patent medicines, containing prized ingredients such as musk, bezoar, bear bile, antelope horn, pangolin, yew, and cordyceps. However, rampant exploitation of natural habitats and increased demand for traditional remedies led to the rapid decline of these valuable species.
titled Recommendations on the Research, Development and Utilisation of Botanical Medicinal Substitutes, urging authorities to prioritise the development of artificial alternatives for endangered medicinal materials. He proposed the establishment of a green channel for the research, development, and marketing of such substitutes, emphasising the principle of availability over perfection. Acknowledging the government’s previous efforts to ban the use of certain endangered animal parts in traditional Chinese medicine, Wanping stressed the need for further action to ensure the sustainability in the industry. He highlighted the importance of leveraging modern biotechnology to produce high-quality, cost-effective, and safe alternatives to endangered medicinal ingredients. Wanping urged regulatory authorities to streamline the registration process for substitutes, providing policy support and incentives for research institutions and pharmaceutical companies and cautioned against regulations that could hinder research and development efforts. While government initiatives have promoted quality and sustainable traditional medicine development, people still struggle to accept artificial substitutes. Successful uptake of alternatives will be a victory for endangered species. Only time will tell whether these alternatives will get suitable traction and take off.
Credit: Facebook - Free the Bears
BUST BARES BORDERS RAID EXPOSES WILDLIFE TRAFFICKING
A recent raid by Laos authorities on a microfinance institute highlighted Laos’ troubling role as a hub for illegal wildlife trafficking, catering to the exotic pet trade and traditional medicinal practices. Located at the crossroads of China, Myanmar, and Thailand, Laos has become a favoured transit point for traffickers, exploiting the country’s porous borders. In March, police from the environment division of Vientiane’s Department of Public Security and Sikhottabong district’s public security office helped rescue 16 black bear cubs, classified as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List of endangered species. Wildlife conservation organisation Free the Bears was also involved in the rescue effort. They said there were 17 cubs, but one was already dead when they arrived on the scene. Also known as moon bears because of the white crescent of fur across their chests, the seized group consisted of 10 males and six females, weighing between 1.3kg and 4kg. Fatong Yang, animal manager at Free the Bears, emphasised the vulnerability of such young cubs, stressing that their mothers would typically never abandon them. The raid, aimed at rescuing endangered animals from exploitation, shed light on the thriving illicit activities within Laos’ borders. Vast forest tracts cover the country, many protected, are home to a wide variety of flora and fauna. But
despite international regulations set forth by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), the demand for exotic pets and traditional medicinal products continues to fuel illegal wildlife trade. Bears are sought after for both purposes, with their bile used in traditional medicine. The discovery of the clutch of seized bear cubs happened under suspicious circumstances, with the Chinese owner and his Lao wife evading authorities’ enquiries about the origins of the animals. This incident adds to a string of cases that have brought international attention to Laos’ complicity in wildlife trafficking. Experts believe part of the problem might be the connection between certain special economic zones in Laos and the illegal wildlife trade. These zones benefit from more free-market- oriented economic policies and flexible governmental measures, making illegal trade easier. In the past, authorities have even found products such as tiger bones, rhino horn, and ivory for sale in these zones.
During the recent national legislative sessions, Wanping presented a proposal
Ingredients for Chinese medicine. Credit: Bundo Kim
18
Made with FlippingBook - PDF hosting