Tons of of 1000’s name for Amazon ejiao ban as ‘mass equine slaughter’ continues

Tons of of 1000’s of individuals have backed requires Amazon to cease promoting ejiao merchandise, because the commerce within the donkey skins is inflicting “mass slaughter” worldwide.

Animal welfare teams together with Brooke USA Basis delivered petitions signed by greater than 370,000 folks to Amazon within the US, asking for a ban on the sale of merchandise containing ejiao.

A spokesperson for Brooke stated it’s estimated that 5 million donkeys are killed yearly to satisfy the rising demand for ejiao, “which has well being claims that stay unproven”.

H&H has reported on efforts being made to cease the commerce, which the Donkey Sanctuary has beforehand described as an “animal welfare catastrophe”.

Brooke USA chairman Jim Hamilton stated: “The worldwide commerce in donkey-hide gelatin merchandise is resulting in the mass slaughter of donkeys, leading to widespread hurt to impoverished communities world wide.

“We should always act instantly and assist shut down this illicit commerce that results in substantial hurt to people and animals worldwide. Step one is to cut back the demand by shutting down product entry.

“Amazon should set the instance and take away all merchandise containing ejiao from its on-line platform.”

Organisations additionally together with the Humane Society of the US, Ekō, American Wild Horse Conservation, the American Affiliation of Equine Practitioners and the American Fund for Options to Animal Analysis took half in a rally earlier than the petition was offered.

Mares and Foals

“International demand for the pores and skin commerce is estimated at nearly 5 million skins per yr, that means nearly half of the world’s donkeys may very well be worn out within the subsequent 5 years,” the Brooke spokesperson stated.

“The cross-border smuggling of donkeys for his or her skins poses an enormous threat of illness transmission from people to animals, which may result in one other future pandemic. Brooke USA and its UK-based sister organisation Brooke are calling for a worldwide ban on the commerce, together with the enforcement of present bans and a crackdown on cross-border commerce.

“In 2021, the Ejiao Act was reintroduced within the Home of Representatives to ban the sale and commerce of ejiao within the US, which Brooke USA is lobbying to be carried out.”

Lacey Kohlmoos of Ekō, which goals to carry companies to account for his or her actions, stated: “It’s outrageous that Amazon continues to permit the sale of ejiao merchandise on its web site. Donkeys are being stolen from households after which subjected to dehydration and damaged bones, earlier than being bludgeoned to demise and skinned.

“I hope that at the moment’s motion and the outcry of over 370,000 folks from world wide lastly convinces the corporate to do the proper factor for each the affected households and the donkeys.”

The commerce not solely impacts animals, the lack of donkeys is a significant blow to communities in growing international locations who depend upon them for his or her livelihoods. In February 2024, after lobbying from welfare organisations, the African Union banned the commerce.

Amazon didn’t reply to H&H’s requests for remark.

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H&H information editor

Eleanor is an skilled journalist who spent over eight years working for native and nationwide newspapers earlier than becoming a member of H&H as information editor in March 2016. Obsessed with equine welfare and exposing the reality, Eleanor has reported on all features of the trade, from Brexit to anti-bullying campaigns, and from dressage guidelines to mules. Her sport of alternative is showjumping, wherein she competes her personal horses, and he or she additionally enjoys reporting at native leaping exhibits by way of to worldwide championships.