CAMPAIGNS

ACRES UNDERCOVER INVESTIGATIONS INTO THE ILLEGAL TRADE IN BEAR PARTS IN SINGAPORE.

In 2006 and 2001, ACRES, in collaboration with the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA), embarked on undercover investigations to uncover any illegal trade in bear products (especially bear bile and gall bladders) in Singapore. It is illegal to trade in any bear products in Singapore.

These investigations followed revelations by bear farmers in China (1999-2000) that Singapore was one of the markets for bear bile products and gall bladders and that they were illegally exporting bear bile products to Singapore.

The trade in bear products results in the inhumane exploitation of bears held in deplorable conditions on bear farms. Wild bears are also being killed for their parts to be used in TCM, pushing endangered species closer to extinction.

2006 Investigation
ACRES conducted an undercover investigation into the illegal trade in bear products in Singapore for TCM from May until October 2006. A total of 23 TCM shops (20.0% of shops surveyed) were found offering alleged bear products for sale to Acres investigators (recorded on video).

The products being sold were alleged intact gall bladders, bear bile pills and bear bile powder. Most were not openly displayed.

ACRES presented their findings to the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) and as a direct result of the investigation, 6 shops were fined under the Endangered Species (Import and Export) Act 2006 (ESA) and 17 shops were given warning letters.

Although the trade continues, ACRES is encouraged that the investigation revealed a significant drop in the trade in bear products since the 2001 investigation and, together with the authorities and the TCM industry, ACRES continues to work towards the day when there will be no longer be an illegal trade in bear products in Singapore.

Following this investigation, ACRES is now working closely with the Singapore TCM Organisations Committee (STOC) and the AVA to eradicate the trade in endangered species for TCM in Singapore .

2001 Investigation
A previous undercover investigation by ACRES in 2001 revealed that 50 out of 68 Chinese medicine shops investigated (or 73.5%) were selling alleged bear products.

As a direct result of this investigation, one shopkeeper and one importer of bear products were prosecuted.

Following this investigation, ACRES made key recommendations and submitted reports on curbing the illegal trade in bear parts to several authorities including the AVA, the Customs and Excise Department, the Singapore Police Force, Health Sciences Authority and TCM associations. ACRES also held meeting meetings with some of these authorities.

Read the full 2006 report on the illegal trade in bear parts in Singapore.
Read the full 2001 report on the illegal trade in bear parts in Singapore.


Help us end the exploitation of all captive animals.


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The Trade in Bear Products in Singapore
The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) is an international agreement between governments to ensure that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival. Singapore is a party to CITES.

Bears are endangered species with almost all Asian species of bears belonging to Appendix 1, which means that trade for primarily commercial purposes is prohibited; CITES permits are issued only under special circumstances.

Under the Endangered Species (Import & Export) Act 2006 of Singapore , it is an offence to import or export any endangered species without a CITES permit. It is also against the law to possess an endangered species that has been illegally imported.

Anyone found guilty of such offences can be fined (up to S$50,000 per endangered species product), imprisoned for up to 2 years, or both.

Under the ESA it is also an offence to advertise bear products for sale even if the products turn out to not be genuine. Under Section 4 of the Endangered Species (Import and Export) Act 2006, anyone who advertises for sale any bear product(s) contravenes the Act, even if the product turns out to be not authentic. By making a claim that the product is from bears, the dealer is potentially driving up the demand for bear products which directly contravenes the spirit of CITES and the local legislation meant to enforce CITES.

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