Ball tackles bushmeat

Practice Threatens Rare Species and Health

Assemblyman Greg Ball (R, C, I – Patterson) will be introducing legislation to combat bushmeat, meat that is taken from wildlife species, including threatened and endangered animals such as elephants, gorillas, and turtles.  The practice of importing bushmeat is currently unregulated and has been challenged in court cases.

“Having worked to protect animals and a lifelong conservationist at heart, I was appalled to learn about this practice. The trade in bushmeat is unregulated, may contribute to health problems, and threatens rare species.  This issue, while maybe not life threatening to most New York families, is an important sub-issue that requires immediate attention,” said Ball.

The most publicized cases of bushmeat have highlighted the unregulated import of dried meat from African nations, as seen in the 2007 case of a Staten Island woman who was indicted after importing meat from primates without proper permits (her case was defended on the basis of religious freedom).  However, bushmeat also applies to cases from across the globe, such as with the Asian practice of eating wild turtles.  This practice, in particular, has nearly wiped out the wild turtle population in China, Loas, Vietnam and Cambodia.  

Bushmeat was commonly sold in street markets in immigrant neighborhoods throughout the larger United States metropolises until recent pressure from animal advocacy and health organizations caused the sale of bushmeat to become more expensive and secretive, but has not dwindled the practice.

The consumption of bushmeat, particularly from primates, is increasingly linked to many fatal diseases such as Ebola, SARS, Anthrax, and Foot and Mouth disease, among others.  The practice also threatens many wildlife species, including species which were not previously in danger of extinction such as antelope, pigs, rodents, and freshwater mammals.  Unfortunately, many species have become extinct locally including crowned monkey and dwarf crocodile.  

While it is illegal to hunt endangered and some threatened species and the 1969 African Convention international laws prevent hunting and capturing of these species, the commercial trade of bushmeat continues to grow globally.  According to a 1998 report compiled by the Ape Alliance, “All of the evidence so far suggests that blanket bans on wildlife use are ineffective.”  Clearly this trend has continued as another 2006 report funded by the World Society for the Protection of Animals cites the estimated 120,000 tons of bushmeat as a $150 million business in 1996.

In 2002, the United States led an international effort which launched the Congo Basin Forest Partnership (CBFP) at the World Summit of Sustainable Development, held in South Africa.  CBFP has 29 partners including 15 nations and 5 international organizations that help to promote awareness of bushmeat’s dangers, bring an end to this practice, and conserve wildlife.  The United States government has worked in partnership with many organizations, including the Bushmeat Crisis Task Force (BCTF), the missions of which Ball hopes to help promote with awareness and legislation.

Based on BCTF’s primary goals, Ball’s legislation will help establish an informative campaign to alert New Yorkers to the dangers of purchasing and eating bushmeat, as well as helping immigrant populations in particular find alternatives to importing bushmeat.  Ball’s goal also is to help tighten regulations on the trade of bushmeat.

To learn more about bushmeat, the resulting health problems or its impact on wildlife, please visit BCTF’s website at www.bushmeat.org.

Posted by New Yorkers on the Ball in Press releases on 1/5/2009