Brooke USA Foundation Supports Ejiao Act with AWHC's Backing
Brooke USA Foundation, a national nonprofit dedicated to improving the welfare of working equines and the people who rely on them, has announced its support for the Ejiao Act (H.R. 5203). This legislation, introduced by U.S. Representative Don Beyer, aims to curb the brutal trade in donkey hides. The American Wild Horse Conservation (formerly American Wild Horse Campaign) and American Horse PAC are also backing this effort.
Ejiao is a gelatin derived from donkey hides, primarily used in China for alternative medicine and beauty treatments. The United States is a significant importer of ejiao, and the Ejiao Act seeks to restrict this trade to protect donkey populations and the communities that depend on them.
“We’re pleased to join with the Brooke USA Foundation to combat the brutal trade in donkey hides, which is creating a market for the slaughter of these innocent animals,” stated Suzanne Roy, Executive Director of AWHC. “In the U.S., we’re seeing a dramatic uptick in the number of wild burros entering the slaughter pipeline as a result of the federal government’s mass roundup policy and cash incentive adoption program, and we have serious concerns that many of these burros are being slaughtered for the ejiao trade.”
Holly Gann Bice, Founder of American Horse PAC, emphasized the importance of addressing the animal welfare concerns posed by the ejiao trade. She applauded the efforts of U.S. Rep. Beyer and Brooke USA Foundation in working to end the United States' involvement in this cruel enterprise.
Donkeys are subjected to horrific conditions for the ejiao trade, enduring abuse and slaughter. The demand for donkey skins in China far exceeds the supply, leading to global slaughter, particularly in countries like Kenya, Ethiopia, Botswana, and Brazil. The current global donkey population could be halved in the next five years if this trade continues unchecked.
In the wild, burros play a vital role in desert ecosystems, while domestic donkeys are crucial for many impoverished communities worldwide. They perform essential tasks, such as fetching water and transporting goods, making them invaluable to families living on less than two dollars a day.
The ejiao trade also poses public health risks, as evidenced by the 2019 Equine Influenza outbreak in West Africa, linked to donkey farms. AWHC and American Horse PAC are actively lobbying for congressional support for the Ejiao Act, urging constituents to engage with their representatives.
Emily Dulin, CEO of Brooke USA, highlighted the collaborative efforts with AWHC and American Horse PAC to advance the bill. She described the inhumane conditions donkeys face before slaughter, emphasizing the need for legislative action.
For more information on supporting the Ejiao Act, visit www.BrookeUSA.org/ejiao-act or www.americanwildhorsecampaign.org/demand-congress-sponsor-ejiao-act-stop-donkey-skin-trade.
About Brooke USA Foundation (Brooke USA): Brooke USA is committed to improving the health, welfare, and productivity of working equines and the people who depend on them. The foundation supports sustainable economic development and aims to alleviate poverty through improved equine health and welfare.
For more information, contact:
Emily Dulin
305-505-6170
[email protected]
Kendall Bierer
561-309-9873
[email protected]