The Government of China is reportedly planning to ban the artificial breeding of 45 wild animal species in a bid to minimise the risk of zoonotic diseases after the Covid-19 outbreak.

China banned the consumption of wild animals in the country soon after the Covid-19 outbreak.

According to Sixth Tone’s sister publication The Paper, the National Forestry and Grassland Administration intends to stop the breeding of wild animal species such as bamboo rats, civet cats, and porcupines by end of this year.

However, the Chinese authority will be allowing the breeding 19 other species such as hedgehogs, badgers, and guinea pigs only for science or medicine purposes but not for human consumption.

Sixth Tone quoted a wildlife protection and management office administration official as saying: “A large number of people are involved in farming these 64 species, so this needed to be clarified.”

The official explained that following the latest initiative, farmers will no longer have permission to breed the 45 species, but can continue other 19 species as per the new norms.

In May, officials reportedly asked these farmers to stop breeding such animal species and apply for compensation.

The official added: “The phasing-out process has yet to be completed, and the compensation is lagging behind, the farmers’ livelihoods are in shambles.

“The wild animal species that remain able to be bred definitely outnumber the (64) species listed. We still have concerns. Wild animals bred for purposes other than eating might be secretly sent to restaurants in the absence of adequate supervision.”