Tianjin, a port city in north China, will ban the poaching and sale of wild animals and related products to promote the protection of wildlife and prevent the possible spread of infectious diseases.

City officials will inspect local markets to weed out activities involving the poaching and sale of wild animals and related products between now and September.

The city's forestry department has suspended the issuing of licenses to raise and domesticate wild animals, and licenses to export and import wild animals alive or dead. Existing license-holders are required to stop sales of wild animals and related products immediately.

Restaurants are also urged to stop serving wild animal-related dishes before the end of June. Advertisements featuring the poaching and sale of wild animals and related products are banned in restaurants and dining halls, according to the city's industrial and commercial administration. No more licenses for businesses involving the sale of wild animals and related products will be issued.

Tianjin Municipal Cuisine Association has called on all local restaurants to stop buying, stocking, producing and selling wild animal-related products.

The city has put snakes, crocodiles, peacocks and civet cats under key protection. Those who violate the new regulation will be fined up to 10 times the price of the relevant animal.

(Xinhua News Agency June 14, 2003)