Liaoning Province, which has seen a number of major fossil finds, is to issue a tougher fossil protection regulation to control the illegal excavation and trade of the precious items.

The western part of northeast China's Liaoning Province holds one of the richest reserves of fossils in the world.

The fossils unearthed here provide rare evidence to help the study of primitive birds and other living things, as well as helping reconstruct ancient environments.

"One of the basic changes with this regulation is the guideline on fossil protection. We are now paying more attention to protection rather than development," said Zhao Yibin, director of the fossil administration office with the Liaoning Provincial Land and Resources Bureau.

The local authority will enact strict protection measures from August 1 with regard to fossil excavation and trade, according to Zhao.

Liaoning has set up three protection zones in fossil-rich reserves to prevent private digging, said Zhao. And there are only three types of bodies that can apply to dig there research institutions, universities and museums.

Fossil dealers will face more restrictions. The trade of the top three grades of fossils is now totally prohibited, something that was previously allowed. Now only relatively unimportant fossils can be traded.

Zhao disclosed that a team of professionals is compiling the fossil guideline, and will grade already unearthed fossils.

Also, all fossils being traded from August will first be evaluated by the authorities. Dealers who fail to comply face a fine of up to 100,000 yuan (US $12,000).

However, many experts are still worried about the future of the treasures. They believe handsome profits will drive local farmers to go on searching for fossils while the local economy remains depressed.

"The fossil market is there and it demands goods. Where do these fossils come from?" said Wang Xiaolin, a famous palaeontologist with the Institute of Vertebrate Palaeontology and Palaeoanthropology under the Chinese Academy of Sciences. Wang has led the institute's fieldwork in Liaoning for the past seven years.

Sources in Beipiao, one of the most famous fossil reserves, said it was impossible to hold back the illegal fossil trade while allowing the sale of so-called unimportant fossils. Because everybody wants to make big money, this could drive dealers to engage in prohibited fossil trading.

(China Daily June 30, 2005)