Stiffer Ban on Tiger, Rhino Parts Trade Proposed
11/4/97
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Headline: Stiffer Ban on Tiger, Rhino Parts Trade Proposed
Source: Reuters
Date: 11/4/97
Copyright 1997 by Reuters
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - To protect endangered species, a
lawmaker Tuesday proposed a bill to let customs agents
confiscate products labeled as containing tiger or rhinoceros
parts without analyzing the products.
New Jersey Republican Jim Saxton, chairman of a House
Resources subcommittee on wildlife, said the bill was meant as
a ``get tough'' measure on Asian countries which he said have
been lax on enforcing international laws to protect endangered
species.
Rhinos and tigers are nearing extinction, partly because of
loss of habitat, but also because they are prized ingredients of
traditional medicines and have been poached for body parts that
bring thousands of dollars.
``I am told that on any given day, a consumer can visit a
drug store or pharmacy in such cities as Chicago, New York, Los
Angeles, San Francisco and Washington, D.C., and purchase
pre-packaged medicines that clearly indicate they contain rhino
and tiger parts,'' Saxton said in a statement.
Under the bill, ``if a label on a product says that it
contains rhinoceros or tiger parts, then we can prevent it from
coming into the United States by making the legal presumption,
without any further scientific tests or analysis, that it
violates our trade laws,'' Saxton said.
Currently agents may confiscate the product, but it is
difficult to determine conclusively whether ingredients
originated from a rhino or tiger, he said.
``In essence it is a truth in labelling for these endangered
species, and if manufacturers choose to try to sell their
medicines without a reference to rhinos or tigers, then
consumers are not likely to purchase them,'' Saxton said.