6 million donkeys slaughtered for Chinese health supplement, charity says
Criminal networks have moved in since the African Union issued a moratorium on donkey slaughter in 2024. PHOTO: AFP
ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia – Almost six million donkeys are slaughtered annually for Chinese medicine, with severe knock-on effects for African villagers who rely on the animals, a Britain-based charity said on June 26.
It is driven by an increase in China's production of ejiao – a product marketed as a health supplement that uses collagen from donkey skins – which is a US$6.8 billion (S$8.6 billion) industry, according to China-based research firm Qianzhan.
China, whose donkey population has plummeted from 11 million in 1992 to 1.5 million in 2023, has turned to Africa to meet its demand.
With donkey populations falling, the African Union issued a 15-year moratorium on donkey slaughter in 2024.
Britain-based charity The Donkey Sanctuary said 'the ejiao industry drives a massive global trade in donkey skins, much of it illegal'.
It said around 5.9 million donkeys were killed worldwide in 2024.
The ejiao trade is expected to require at least 6.8 million donkey skins by 2027.
The rising value of donkeys means they have increasingly become targets for criminals.
'Traders exploit vulnerable people using large and sophisticated networks of agents to pressure donkey owners into selling their animals,' the charity said.
'Illegal networks operate across the continent, often without consequence, stealing and slaughtering donkeys in the night,' it added.
'Donkeys die in often unregulated, inhumane and unsanitary conditions, and large numbers perish on their way to slaughterhouses,' it said.
The impact on humans is particularly felt by women and children, who rely on donkeys for farming activities such as ploughing and for carrying goods to market.
The criminal operations also generated health risks, The Donkey Sanctuary said.
'The transportation of untreated skins and improper disposal of donkey carcasses risk triggering the spread of infectious diseases and damaging local ecosystems.' AFP
Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Straits Times
8 hours ago
- Straits Times
WHO delivers its first medical aid to Gaza since March 2
WHO called for the immediate, unimpeded and sustained delivery of health aid into Gaza through all possible routes PHOTO: REUTERS WHO delivers its first medical aid to Gaza since March 2 GENEVA - The World Health Organisation (WHO) said on June 26 that it had delivered its first medical shipment into Gaza since March 2, adding though that the nine truckloads were 'a drop in the ocean'. The June 25's shipment of supplies, plasma and blood will be distributed among hospitals in the Palestinian territory in the coming days, WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on X. Israel imposed a total blockade on the Gaza Strip on March 2. More than two months later, it began allowing some food in, but no other aid items until now. Dr Tedros said nine trucks carrying essential medical supplies, 2,000 units of blood and 1,500 units of plasma were delivered via the Kerem Shalom crossing with Israel, 'without any looting incident, despite the high-risk conditions along the route'. 'These supplies will be distributed to priority hospitals in the coming days,' Dr Tedros said. 'The blood and plasma were delivered to Nasser Medical Complex's cold storage facility for onward distribution to hospitals facing critical shortages, amid a growing influx of injuries, many linked to incidents at food distribution sites.' Last week the WHO said only 17 of Gaza's 36 hospitals were minimally to partially functional, with the rest unable to function at all. Dr Tedros said four WHO trucks were still at Kerem Shalom and more were on their way towards Gaza. 'However, these medical supplies are only a drop in the ocean. Aid at scale is essential to save lives,' he said. 'WHO calls for the immediate, unimpeded and sustained delivery of health aid into Gaza through all possible routes.' Israel began allowing supplies to trickle in at the end of May following its more than two-month total blockade, but distribution has been marred by chaotic scenes and near-daily reports of Israeli forces firing on people waiting to collect rations. The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, a new US- and Israel-backed food distribution system, began handing out food in Gaza on May 26. But the UN and major aid groups have refused to cooperate with the GHF – an officially private effort with opaque funding – over concerns it was designed to cater to Israeli military objectives. Israel is pressing its bombardment of the territory in a military offensive it says is aimed at defeating the militant group Hamas, whose unprecedented October 2023 attack on Israel triggered the war. AFP Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
14 hours ago
- Straits Times
6 million donkeys slaughtered for Chinese health supplement, charity says
Criminal networks have moved in since the African Union issued a moratorium on donkey slaughter in 2024. PHOTO: AFP ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia – Almost six million donkeys are slaughtered annually for Chinese medicine, with severe knock-on effects for African villagers who rely on the animals, a Britain-based charity said on June 26. It is driven by an increase in China's production of ejiao – a product marketed as a health supplement that uses collagen from donkey skins – which is a US$6.8 billion (S$8.6 billion) industry, according to China-based research firm Qianzhan. China, whose donkey population has plummeted from 11 million in 1992 to 1.5 million in 2023, has turned to Africa to meet its demand. With donkey populations falling, the African Union issued a 15-year moratorium on donkey slaughter in 2024. Britain-based charity The Donkey Sanctuary said 'the ejiao industry drives a massive global trade in donkey skins, much of it illegal'. It said around 5.9 million donkeys were killed worldwide in 2024. The ejiao trade is expected to require at least 6.8 million donkey skins by 2027. The rising value of donkeys means they have increasingly become targets for criminals. 'Traders exploit vulnerable people using large and sophisticated networks of agents to pressure donkey owners into selling their animals,' the charity said. 'Illegal networks operate across the continent, often without consequence, stealing and slaughtering donkeys in the night,' it added. 'Donkeys die in often unregulated, inhumane and unsanitary conditions, and large numbers perish on their way to slaughterhouses,' it said. The impact on humans is particularly felt by women and children, who rely on donkeys for farming activities such as ploughing and for carrying goods to market. The criminal operations also generated health risks, The Donkey Sanctuary said. 'The transportation of untreated skins and improper disposal of donkey carcasses risk triggering the spread of infectious diseases and damaging local ecosystems.' AFP Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
18 hours ago
- Straits Times
Thailand reclassifies cannabis bud as a controlled herb, restricts sales and advertising
The regulation is in effect immediately. PHOTO: REUTERS BANGKOK - On June 25 , Thailand's Royal Gazette website published a new Ministry of Public Health regulation, officially reclassifying cannabis flower, or bud, as a controlled herb that is available only for medical use. The regulation, which takes effect immediately, prohibits advertising, general sales and recreational use of cannabis. The main points of the new regulation are as follows: 1. Cannabis, specifically the flower part of the plant, is now classified as a controlled herb under the law. 2. Those wishing to study, export, sell, or process cannabis for commercial purposes must apply for a license under Section 46 and comply with the following conditions: Licensees must report the source, usage, and inventory of cannabis products to the relevant authorities. Exporters must notify the licensing authority of each export transaction. Retailers and processors may only sell cannabis to licensed recipients under Section 46. All cannabis sold must come from certified sources with approved cultivation and harvesting standards. Sales of cannabis for smoking in business establishments are prohibited unless for use by certified medical professionals. Cannabis may not be sold via vending machines or online platforms. Cannabis advertising for commercial purposes is prohibited across all platforms. Sales are banned at places of worship, dormitories, public parks, zoos, and amusement parks. However, the sale of cannabis for medical purposes remains permitted if prescribed by licensed medical practitioners. These include medical professionals as defined by the Medical Profession Act; Thai traditional medicine practitioners, integrated Thai traditional medicine practitioners and folk doctors under the Thai Traditional Medicine Profession Act; Chinese medicine practitioners under the Medical Profession Act; pharmacists under the Pharmacy Profession Act and dentists under the Dentistry Profession Act. The new regulation also mandates that businesses licensed prior to the announcement must comply with the updated rules for cannabis control. THE NATION/ASIA NEWS NETWORK Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
