China stops considering dogs as "livestock" and prohibits breeding for human consumption

China stops considering dogs as "livestock" and prohibits breeding for human consumption

Despite the stereotypes, the intake of these animals is not common in China and every time, especially among the youngest, there is more social opposition to being allowed to do so.

Not eat

The Chinese Ministry of Agriculture announced Friday that dogs are no longer considered livestock and that their breeding on farms for human consumption is therefore prohibited, a decision by animal organizations.

The Ministry published the so-called Catalog of Genetic Resources of Livestock and Poultry, which establishes for the first time a list of 33 species that can be bred in the country, thus prohibiting those not mentioned.

The writing of this list was prompted by the authorities after the consumption of exotic and wild animals in a market in Wuhan (center) was linked to the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, as it is believed that the coronavirus could jump the humans there through those creatures.

Among the permitted species are also four "specials" that can be raised but not eaten: mink, arctic fox, silver fox, and tanuki (also known as a raccoon dog or Japanese raccoon).

In its explanations, the Ministry dedicates a complete epigraph to the decision to exclude dogs from the list, since their meat continues to be consumed - albeit in a minority way - in some parts of the country.

The (UN Food and Agriculture Organization) FAO does not include dogs among livestock in its statistics. Over time, people's ideas about citizenship and eating habits have been constantly changing, and some traditional dog customs will also change, the statement said.

The Ministry adds that today, dogs have other uses, reflected in the functions of companion animals, of police help in rescue and search or to accompany and guide the blind, and have a closer relationship with humans.

According to the document, during the process of receiving requests and opinions established by the authorities, most of the people who spoke about it before the Ministry considered that dogs should not be included in the list of livestock.

The animal organization People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) called the decision a "monumental step in the right direction", although it claims that the four "special" species mentioned above should also be excluded from the Catalog.

They also call on the Chinese government to do more to tackle the most basic animal abuse in China, including the enactment of its first animal welfare laws.

For its part, the Humane Society International collective believes that this initiative would signal "a crucially important turn in China's desire to end the trade in cats and dogs, for which millions of animals continue to suffer each year."

This association recalls that the Yulin festival, known for focusing on the meat of these animals, plans to celebrate its edition of this year in three weeks, and hopes that, after the decision of the Ministry of Agriculture, it finally cannot be carried out .

According to that organization's estimates, 10 million dogs and 4 million cats are killed each year for consumption in China.

However, despite stereotypes, the intake of these animals is not usual in China and every time, especially among the youngest, there is more social opposition to allowing it.

After the alleged sale of wild animals in the Wuhan market where the COVID-19 outbreak is believed to have emerged was linked, many Chinese people called on social media to end their trade.

Some provinces of the country have already begun to offer subsidies to breeders of exotic species so that they stop these activities and change it for livestock -with animals allowed by the Ministry of Agriculture- or the cultivation of fruits and vegetables.

Source: EFE