Published 11:55 IST, February 27th 2020
China: Shenzhen lawmakers propose to ban dog meat to avoid coronavirus
China has proposed a first of its kind law that seeks a total ban on the consumption of dog meat to improve health safety amid coronavirus outbreak.
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Shenzhen City in China has proposed a law that seeks a total ban on consumption of dog meat to improve health safety amid coronavirus outbreak. law, if passed, will be first of its kind in country, confirmed reports.
draft regulation was introduced by standing committee of Shenzhen People’s Congress, city legislature on February 25 and has until March 6 to submit public opinions. It includes a white list that comprises of nine s of meat permitted for consumption. list includes pork, beef, and chicken along with rabbits, fish, and seafood. It excludes pet animals such as cats and dogs, as well as or reptiles and amphibians like snakes, turtles, and frogs as per reports.
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authorities, however, did t publish a blacklist saying that China has tens of thousands of wild animal species and it wouldn’t be possible to list every single of m, confirmed reports. y furr stated that government hn’t yet commented on when it would vote on draft regulation.
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A fine of up to 20,000 Yuan would be imposed
According to reports, a fine of up to 20,000 Yuan would be imposed on those who breach regulations. ban will also be extended to farm animals, although, it did t appear on white list. Shenzhen lawmakers emphasized that new regulations will still allow use of wild animals for scientific and medical research and development purposes.
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consumption of wide range of wild animals in China has reportedly been linked to COVID-19 virus outbreak by epidemiologists. A wild species of civet cat sold in Wuhan’s illegal wildlife tre market was associated with severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) epidemic that h killed more than 800 people worldwide 17 years ago.
Reports suggest that lawmakers in Tianjin, port city near Beijing have also taken step to stem tre of wildlife by outlawing capture, tring, farming, transport, and consumption of wild species. Shenzhen’s regulations, however, seek total ban and make tre and consumption of pets like dogs and cats a criminal offense.
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11:55 IST, February 27th 2020