China ‘Gets the Message’ on Controversial Tiger Farms: NGO – AFP

At a CITIES conference, China proposed to re-legalize domestic trade of tiger parts from artificially-bred tigers. Conservationists fear that this would increase demand and encourage poaching. A decision will be made at the conference on Wednesday. From The Nation:

Pressed by conservationists to shut down breeding farms housing some 5,000 tigers, China hinted Tuesday it may abandon a proposal to legalise domestic trade in furs and tiger-bone medicine.

A document drafted by Beijing, to be submitted for approval to the UN body regulating wildlife trade, said nations that breed the endangered species “on a commercial scale should implement measures to restrict the captive population to a level supportive only to conserving wild tigers.” [Full Text]

See also China To Revive Trade in Tiger Parts from CNN-IBN and Recent Sighting Holds Hope for China’s Wild Tigers from Worldwatch Institute.