CITES recognises the value of snakeskin to Asian economies
06/05/2011
CITES said after the meeting that conservationists recognise the damage that has been caused in recent years to the habitats in which many species of snake live and breed. Further, there is acceptance among conservationists and from CITES that commercial breeding of snakes, with a proportion of the reptiles being returned to the wild, has helped prevent populations of some species from becoming too low. The presence of snakes in rice-growing areas, for example, can be very important to keep crop predators under control. The Geneva-based organisation also recognised the economic importance of using snakeskins as a by-product of this commercial activity.
Its secretary-general, John Scanlon, said after the Guangzhou event: “The global trade in snakes is an industry of considerable socio-economic importance for populations in several Asian countries.” He said the meeting had produced recommendations for addressing socio-economic issues, as well as conservation and sustainable use. People in many Asian countries consume snakes for food and their body parts are used in some forms of traditional medicine.
Executive director general of CITES in China, Dr Su Chunyu, commented: “The harvesting of snakes and, in some cases, the initial processing of their skins and other body parts, contributes important revenue to local communities in China and neighbouring countries.”
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