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African Union calls for urgent action on donkey skin trade
Donkey skin is used in traditional Chinese medicine.
Member states urged to prioritise ban.

The African Union's commissioner for agriculture, rural development, blue economy and sustainable environment has written to member states urging them to prioritise the recent ban on slaughtering donkeys for their skin.

Donkey skin is used to make an ingredient in traditional Chinese medicine called ejiao. At least 5.9 million donkeys are slaughtered globally each year to supply demand, according to research by The Donkey Sanctuary. The moratorium on the donkey skin trade was passed by the African Union in February.

In Africa there are an estimated 33 million donkeys and many are used as working animals. Uganda, Tanzania, Botswana, Niger, Burkina Faso, Mali, and Senegal had already banned donkey exports to China before the African Union moratorium was introduced.

In her letter, Josefa L.C. Sacko emphasised that countries need to integrate the welfare of donkeys into their national plans, as well as allocate resources and instigate polices to mitigate adverse economic and environmental aspects of the trade.

The Donkey Sanctuary and its partners in the International Coalition for Working Equids have welcomed the letter.

Otieno Mtula, regional advocacy and campaigns manager (Africa) for The Donkey Sanctuary, said: “The urgency of this request from the African Union demonstrates its commitment to protecting one of Africa’s most precious resources, and represents an important milestone in our campaign to end the skin trade.

“This is not just about a moratorium on the slaughter of donkeys, but a move toward a future where their contribution is valued and their welfare is sacrosanct.

“As demand for their skins continues to threaten Africa’s donkeys, food security and livelihoods, this is a call to arms to member states to prioritise and allocate resources so collectively they can bring an end this cruel and unsustainable trade and protect these hardworking, sentient animals.”

Image © Shutterstock

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Birmingham Dogs Home makes urgent appeal

News Story 1
 Birmingham Dogs Home has issued an urgent winter appeal as it faces more challenges over the Christmas period.

The rescue centre has seen a dramatic increase in dogs coming into its care, and is currently caring for over 200 dogs. With rising costs and dropping temperatures, the charity is calling for urgent support.

It costs the charity £6,000 per day to continue its work.

Fi Harrison, head of fundraising and communications, said: "It's heart-breaking for our team to see the conditions some dogs arrive in. We really are their last chance and hope of survival."

More information about the appeal can be found here. 

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Avian flu confirmed at premises in Cornwall

A case of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 has been detected in commercial poultry at a premises near Rosudgeon, Cornwall.

All poultry on the infected site will be humanely culled, and a 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone have been put in place. Poultry and other captive birds in the 3km protection zone must be housed.

The case is the second avian flu case confirmed in commercial poultry this month. The H5N5 strain was detected in a premises near Hornsea, East Riding of Yorkshire, in early November. Before then, the disease had not been confirmed in captive birds in England since February.

The UK chief veterinary officer has urged bird keepers to remain alert and practise robust biosecurity.

A map of the disease control zones can be found here.