After the end of the SARS epidemic in 2003, experts from the Guangdong Science and Technology Research Group for the Prevention and Control of SARS determined that civet was the main carrier of SARS coronavirus. However, at the time, the Animal and Plant Management Division of the Protection Department of the State Forestry Administration stated at the time: "At present, China does not ban civet breeding, and for the time being we have no intention to formulate policies in this regard." Related reference:

State Forestry Administration Says It Would Not Ban on Civet Breeding for the Time Being

The "Guiding Opinions on Promoting the Sustainable Development of Wild Animals and Plants" issued recently said that the country will strongly support the domestication and reproduction of 54 species of wild animals such as civet and provide corresponding safeguards for their entry into the market. However, in the morning of October 10, experts from the Guangdong Science and Technology Group for the Prevention and Treatment of SARS at the appraisal meeting of the scientific and technological achievements of the "Research on the Prevention and Treatment of Infectious Atypical Pneumonia (SARS) in Guangdong Province" concluded that civet is the main carrier of SARS coronavirus. Yesterday afternoon, a person in charge of the State Forestry Administration said in an interview with reporter that there was no intention to modify the related policies introduced recently.

On the morning of October 10th, experts from the Guangdong Science and Technology Group for the Prevention and Treatment of SARS identified at the appraisal meeting for the scientific and technological achievements of the "Research on the Prevention and Treatment of Infectious Atypical Pneumonia (SARS) in Guangdong Province" that the civet was the main carrier of SARS coronavirus.

Zhong Nanshan, General Counselor of the Scientific and Technological Research Group for the Prevention and Control of SARS in Guangdong Province, reported that the research proved the animal origin of human SARS coronavirus for the first time, and that SARS virus may have a wide spectrum of animal infections. Among them, civet is one of the important animal hosts for SARS virus. It has the ability to spread SARS virus, and is currently the most susceptible wild animal and an ideal experimental animal model for SARS virus. However, there is insufficient evidence to prove that civet is the only natural host for human transmission of SARS virus.

A person in the Animal and Plant Management Department of the Protection Department of the State Forestry Administration told the reporter: "At present, China does not ban the breeding of civet cats, and for the time being we have no intention to formulate policies in this regard."

A few days ago, the State Forestry Administration just issued the "Guiding Opinions on Promoting the Sustainable Development of Wild Fauna and Flora". The "Opinions" emphasizes the need to vigorously promote the cultivation of wild animal and plant resources and continue to implement the "commercial management using domesticated and mature technologies of mature terrestrial wildlife lists" measures. Among the "lists of terrestrial wildlife that have matured domestically using domestication and breeding techniques" is the civet.

"For this ‘Opinions’, we will not modify or change it for the time being." The person explained, "Our work is about the protection and utilization of species, and we will definitely cooperate with the health department in the corresponding work on the civet issue. "

(Original Chinese article: http://agri-history.ihns.ac.cn/news/041012.htm)

Regarding the decision made by the State Forestry Administration after the SARS epidemic was over, China Biodiversity Conservation and Green Development Foundation (CBCGDF) hopes to have a more open and scientific explanation. After the novel coronavirus-infected pneumonia (NCP) epidemic has recurred, it is hoped everyone can participate and call for the protection of wild animals and avoid repeating the same mistakes.

By / Maggie, Li Xue