Can specialty breeding still be done after the pandemic ends? What is good to switch to?

Now the state has issued a ban on wildlife, and for the specialty breeding industry this is rather tough; most specialty breeding can no longer continue, and many specialty breeders are considering switching careers, so can specialty breeding still be done? What is more suitable to switch to?

Can specialty breeding still continue?

On February 24, the 16th session of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress voted to pass the "Decision of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress on Comprehensively Prohibiting the Illegal Trade in Wild Animals, Eliminating the Bad Habit of Indiscriminately Eating Wild Animals, and Effectively Safeguarding the People's Life, Health and Safety." According to the requirements of the "Decision," in the future, China will comprehensively prohibit the consumption of terrestrial wild animals with “important ecological, scientific and social value” protected by the state, as well as other terrestrial wild animals, including terrestrial wild animals bred in captivity and raised in captivity.

As for exactly which ones can be eaten and which cannot, a detailed catalog has not yet been issued. Many specialty breeding industries, such as breeders of peacocks, sika deer, giant salamanders, sturgeon and others, are bearing the dual impact of the pandemic and policy, and hope that specific policies will be issued as soon as possible so they can find their direction.

But although more and more experts are beginning to pay attention to the breeding industry and put forward opinions and suggestions, there is still no clear “whitelist” regulation, so whether specialty breeding can continue remains an unknown matter.

What can breeders do when switching careers?

If breeders face a situation where they have to switch careers, then what can they do after switching? If they switch careers, they can shift to livestock and poultry breeding, or breeding for scientific research and medicinal use, and can also develop ecological agricultural economy, pollution-free agricultural products and ecotourism.

1. Livestock and poultry breeding: The breeding of livestock and poultry is a very broad market with a high degree of market share, and it is not on the list of wild game, so switching to livestock and poultry breeding is a very good choice. It is recommended to breed free-range chickens, pheasants, ducks, goats, pigs, cattle and some other common livestock and poultry.

2. Breeding for scientific research and medicinal use: Many animals can be used as medicine, and these medicinal materials are often relatively expensive, while the breeding costs and profits are very good. Some regions also have subsidy programs of this kind. Recommended to breed scorpions, ground beetles, centipedes, leeches, forest frogs, snakes, deer, bears and others.

3. Aquaculture: This ban on wildlife does not include aquaculture, and the impact on aquaculture can be said to be the smallest. If specialty breeding cannot continue, one can also switch to aquaculture.

If switching to do other things, those animals that can no longer be bred must not be released at will, so as to avoid causing ecological disaster.

>> Recommended reading: Are there subsidies for specialty breeding? What issues should beginners pay attention to in breeding?