We are beyond excited to report after learning from Animals Asia that China’s new National Catalogue of Livestock and Poultry Genetic Resources was announced this morning, with dogs not included on the list.
“This is a step by step process where the regulation bans the industry of selling live dogs and dog meat for food, rather than making it illegal to eat your own dog. You can no longer buy dogs in the markets or restaurants for consumption because they are selling dogs illegally for food,” Animals Asia told WAN.
“However, if you breed your own dogs you can eat them – but you cannot sell them for consumption. All of the dog meat restaurants, markets, and slaughterhouses countrywide selling dogs for food are illegal now – including of course Yulin,” continued Animals Asia.
“One more addition is that Shenzhen and Zhuhai have already made it illegal to both buy dogs for food and eat them (in any capacity). We hope that a precedent has been set with more cities joining this initiative as well,” concluded Animals Asia.
Although the legislation is not an outright ban on consumption, the regulation bans the selling of live dogs and dog meat for food. This is sending a message to the industry that dog meat consumption is not supported by the government.
The protection also extends to cats who are not and have never been on the Catalogue of Livestock, reflecting their status and importance as companion animals as well.
Animals Asia’s Cat and Dog Welfare team has worked for decades to see the building blocks towards this decision – quietly and sensitively behind the scenes with the authorities and local NGO’s. They have been encouraging responsible dog management, and a harmonious connection with companion animals in China, seeing the government and public increasingly supportive of ending the dog and cat meat trade. Their team can now report any illegal restaurants or facilities selling dogs as meat and help to strengthen this regulation by public education – thus slowly bringing the consumption of dogs (and cats) completely to an end.
The organization submitted four in-depth investigative reports to a number of national and local governments to help departments and officials understand the violations and dangers of the dog and cat meat industry. Their efforts were acknowledged by an official reply letter from the State Food and Drug Administration in 2017, which mentioned that they would protect consumers’ food safety by strengthening supervision and inspection of restaurants and other dog and cat meat sales across the country, collaborate with relevant departments to crack down on illegal dog and cat meat practices, and increase publicity and guidance to the public, amongst many other important measures.
This regulation is a cause for celebration, showing that Animals Asia’s programs working from within the country, nationwide, have been supported by the authorities and are now making the difference they had hoped for. It provides inspiration to continue their work to improve the lives of animals and humans alike, and is truly a shining example of kindness in action.
“Thank you to Animals Asia and all of the compassionate people and groups worldwide who have worked tirelessly for decades to end the barbaric dog and cat meat trade in China and throughout Asia, you have exposed this shocking trade and proved that darkness can’t exist where there is light,” said Katie Cleary, President & Founder of WAN & Peace 4 Animals.
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