1st LD-Writethru: China mulls removing some captive-bred animals from state protection

Animals bred under controlled conditions through mature methods could be removed from China's special state protection list, according to the newest revisions to the country's wild animal protection law.

Sika deer bred in controlled environments, for instance, could be removed from the list, as captive breeding of the deer started centuries ago, with millions bred under controlled conditions, the Law Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC) said in a report on the revisions. The committee cited suggestions on the first version of the revised draft of the law, which was subject to a first reading last December.

The newest revised draft, which was scheduled for a second reading by the Standing Committee of the NPC on Monday, said carrying out captive breeding programs for species removed from the state protection list requires obtaining permits from authorities, and the sale and use of such animals require special tags issued by authorities to ensure traceability.

Regulating captive-bred animals differently from wild ones is consistent with internationally accepted practice, the NPC Law Committee said in the report, citing the suggestions.

The newest version also says that the central government retains the power to approve hunting of wild animals under first-class state protection for purposes including scientific research, population regulation and monitoring of disease.

The first version allowed approval powers to be delegated to provincial-level governments.

The government supports scientific research institutions in carrying out captive breeding programs of state-protected wild animals for conservation purposes, according to the newest draft.

Stud animals captured in the wild may be used by such programs only when truly needed, for which authorities should grant a special hunting license, it said.

However, it stressed, captive breeding of state-protected wild animals for purposes other than conservation may not involve animals caught in the wild for breeding.

Captive breeding should not harm wild populations, the draft notes.

The newest draft bans the production and sale of food made from state-protected wild animals and products derived from them, as well as food made from those not under special state protection but lacking proof of legitimate sourcing.

The new draft also bans illegal purchase of state-protected wild animals and derived products for food. Offenders could face criminal penalties.

To compensate for losses due to the protection of wild animals under special state or local protection, the new draft said, local governments could collaborate with insurance agencies.

The draft requires local governments at the county level and above to adopt measures to prevent and control damage caused by state-protected animals and allocate compensation funds, with the central government to provide subsidies.

The wild animal protection law was passed in 1988 and took effect the following year. Endit