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Burkina Faso bans donkey skin exports, affecting Asian trade Burkina Faso bans donkey skin exports, affecting Asian trade
(35 minutes later)
Burkina Faso has banned the export of donkey skins as a sharp increase in sales to Asia is threatening the animal's population.Burkina Faso has banned the export of donkey skins as a sharp increase in sales to Asia is threatening the animal's population.
Donkeys have been "over-exploited" and their numbers needed to be kept at a sustainable level, the government said.Donkeys have been "over-exploited" and their numbers needed to be kept at a sustainable level, the government said.
China is a big importer of donkey skins from Burkina Faso, using them to make traditional medicines.China is a big importer of donkey skins from Burkina Faso, using them to make traditional medicines.
In Burkina Faso, donkeys are commonly used to transport goods, though some communities eat their meat.In Burkina Faso, donkeys are commonly used to transport goods, though some communities eat their meat.
The surge in exports has put pressure on the local market, with the price of donkeys rising, says BBC Afrique's Abdourahmane Dia.The surge in exports has put pressure on the local market, with the price of donkeys rising, says BBC Afrique's Abdourahmane Dia.
The price of the animal's hide has risen from about $4 (£3) a few years ago to $50, he adds.
The ban also covers the hide of horses and camels, Burkina Faso's director for public veterinary health Adama Maiga told the AFP news agency.The ban also covers the hide of horses and camels, Burkina Faso's director for public veterinary health Adama Maiga told the AFP news agency.
The government would also be "regulating" the slaughter of the animals, he added.The government would also be "regulating" the slaughter of the animals, he added.
Last month, an abattoir set up by French and Chinese businessmen in a village on the outskirts of the capital, Ouagadougou, was ransacked by residents protesting against the stench coming out of it and the air, water and land pollution it was causing, AFP reports.Last month, an abattoir set up by French and Chinese businessmen in a village on the outskirts of the capital, Ouagadougou, was ransacked by residents protesting against the stench coming out of it and the air, water and land pollution it was causing, AFP reports.
Burkina Faso, a poor West African state, has about 1.4 million donkeys.Burkina Faso, a poor West African state, has about 1.4 million donkeys.
Exports of the skin rose from 1,000 in the first quarter of 2015 to more than 18,000 in the last quarter, the Burkinabe authorities say.Exports of the skin rose from 1,000 in the first quarter of 2015 to more than 18,000 in the last quarter, the Burkinabe authorities say.
Nearly 65,000 skins were exported in the first six months of this year, mostly to China.Nearly 65,000 skins were exported in the first six months of this year, mostly to China.
Its donkey population has been dwindling because of low fertility rates and the long rearing period, causing a a shortage of hides used to produce a traditional medicine known as "ejiao", according to a report in January in the China Daily newspaper.Its donkey population has been dwindling because of low fertility rates and the long rearing period, causing a a shortage of hides used to produce a traditional medicine known as "ejiao", according to a report in January in the China Daily newspaper.
The medicine is taken mostly by women who suffer from anaemia, dry coughs or dizziness.The medicine is taken mostly by women who suffer from anaemia, dry coughs or dizziness.