[Congressional Bills 115th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 1177 Introduced in House (IH)]

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115th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. RES. 1177

 Recognizing the need for China to maintain its ban on rhinoceros and 
                              tiger parts.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                           December 11, 2018

  Mr. McCaul (for himself, Mr. Royce of California, Mr. Cuellar, Mr. 
  Fortenberry, and Ms. McCollum) submitted the following resolution; 
which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition 
to the Committee on Natural Resources, for a period to be subsequently 
   determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such 
 provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
 Recognizing the need for China to maintain its ban on rhinoceros and 
                              tiger parts.

Whereas wildlife trafficking has more than doubled since 2007 and is now one of 
        the world's largest transnational crimes with an estimated 
        $20,000,000,000 in illegal profits every year;
Whereas according to traditional Chinese beliefs, rhinoceros horn and tiger 
        bones are thought to have medicinal and healing properties;
Whereas there appears to be little scientific evidence to support traditional 
        claims of the health benefits of consuming rhinoceros horn or tiger 
        bones;
Whereas rhinoceros and tigers are at risk of extinction and are endangered 
        primarily due to poaching driven by high demand for their parts;
Whereas transnational criminal organizations and terrorist groups in foreign 
        countries are often engaged in and profiting from poaching and 
        transportation of rhinoceros horns across Africa and Asia;
Whereas transnational criminal organizations and terrorist groups engaged in 
        wildlife trafficking also traffic in arms, drugs, and people;
Whereas China's decision to ban the ivory trade and close ivory carving 
        factories in December 2015, which went into full effect in December 
        2017, was a positive and commendable decision and a significant step for 
        elephant conservation;
Whereas China's State Council, recognizing the endangered status of this 
        wildlife due to poaching, issued a ban involving the sales, purchase, 
        use, and import of rhinoceros horn, tiger bones, and their related 
        products in 1993;
Whereas, in October 2018, China proposed a directive that would allow exceptions 
        to this ban for medical and scientific research;
Whereas the directive would permit the sale, import, and export of rhinoceros 
        horn and tiger bone classified as cultural relics, pending the 
        authorization of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and the State 
        Administration of Cultural Heritage;
Whereas, on November 12, 2018, China postponed the lifting of the ban on 
        rhinoceros horn and tiger bone for medical and scientific research due 
        to international pressure, particularly from conservation groups;
Whereas China's consideration of opening the rhinoceros horn and tiger bone 
        trade would likely increase the trafficking and illicit trade of these 
        animals and would likely increase illegal poaching activity in Africa 
        and Asia; and
Whereas lifting the ban on the trade could severely endanger tigers and 
        rhinoceros leading to extinction: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) recognizes China's postponement of its directive to 
        allow rhinoceros horn and tiger bone for medical and scientific 
        research, and strongly encourages China to maintain its ban on 
        rhinoceros and tiger parts;
            (2) identifies the need to reduce demand in Asian markets 
        for illicit wildlife products as well as work with United 
        States global partners to combat transnational criminal 
        organizations and prevent them from obtaining these animal 
        parts and products;
            (3) supports ongoing initiatives by the Department of 
        State, the United States Agency for International Development, 
        the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, and other relevant 
        United States Government agencies to combat poaching and 
        wildlife trafficking and promote efforts to reduce the demand 
        of endangered species;
            (4) recognizes the importance of continued United States 
        diplomatic engagement to continue to encourage other nations to 
        shut down any trade of endangered species;
            (5) condemns the illegal killing, sale, or trade in the 
        parts and product of rhinoceros and tigers from any source and 
        encourages international enforcement and prosecution of all 
        criminal entities engaged in and profiting from such activity;
            (6) supports the protection of rhinoceros and tiger 
        populations to prevent extinction; and
            (7) condemns the farming of rhinoceros and tigers to meet 
        demand for their body parts and strongly encourages China and 
        other countries to phase out such facilities.
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