The Global Donkey Trade for Ejiao: Environmental and Socio-Economic Impacts
UPSC Relevance
Prelims: General issues on Environmental ecology, Bio-diversity and Climate Change; Current events of national and international importance.
Mains:
GS Paper 1: Social empowerment, Role of women.
GS Paper 3: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation; Linkages between development and spread of extremism; Animal-rearing economics.
Key Highlights from the News
Approximately 6 million donkeys are killed globally each year to produce Ejiao, a traditional Chinese medicine.
Ejiao is made from gelatin extracted from donkey hide. Its scientific benefits have not been proven.
The increasing demand in China and the domestic demand and supply gap are the reasons for this global crisis.
The number of donkeys in China decreased from 11 million in 1990 to 1.5 million in 2023 (an 87% drop).
To compensate for this decline, China now imports donkey hides from continents like Africa and South America.
Poor conditions during animal transport and slaughter lead to animal cruelty and the spread of zoonotic diseases (diseases transmitted from animals to humans).
This trade severely affects the livelihoods of poor communities dependent on donkeys.
When donkeys are stolen, women have to perform the tasks they used to do. This even affects girls' education.
This trade has led to a sharp increase in donkey prices and illegal trade and theft in many countries.
Despite the African Union imposing a ban on donkey hide exports in 2024, illegal trade continues.
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