Breaking: China seeks end to rare animal use

On October 19, the State Food and Drug Administration and the State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine issued a groundbreaking joint statement, advocating for the development of sustainable substitutes for rare and endangered wildlife in Chinese medicinal materials.

Endangered species including pangolins and bears were cited as examples of traditional ingredients to be re-evaluated in this initiative – a world-first effort to protect vulnerable species while advancing traditional medicine.

Animals Asia commends the National Medical Products Administration and the National Administration of Traditional Medicine for their progressive initiative to promote sustainable and ethical alternatives to rare and endangered traditional medicinal materials.

This commitment represents a significant step towards protecting vulnerable wildlife, preserving biodiversity, and supporting sustainable practices within traditional medicine.

At Animals Asia, we have long advocated for humane and effective solutions that respect both cultural traditions and animal welfare.

This policy aligns closely with our work to encourage synthetic alternatives, reduce reliance on animal-derived ingredients, and foster a more compassionate approach to traditional medicine.

We remain committed to working alongside stakeholders, practitioners, and regulatory bodies to support these goals. Together, we can advance a future where traditional medicine thrives harmoniously with ecological preservation and animal welfare.

Animals Asia looks forward to contributing expertise and supporting the implementation of this policy to ensure it is a success.

We are eager to collaborate with researchers and manufacturers to promote alternatives that safeguard animal welfare, protect endangered species, and support the continued growth of traditional medicine in a sustainable, ethical manner.