Pangolin - not an easy read

It is actually possibly to trace Chinese money, although the Chinese themselves don't advertise it. Manufacturers are well aware that their goods have a poor international reputation and are being encouraged to up their game. Currently, imports from China only account for 6.6% of imports to the UK, but this is likely to increase massively after Brexit when imports from the EU (especially Germany) become more expensive.

Of course there is no difference between selling squirrel for consumption than any other creature (apart from the fact that some are endangered,) Its not fluffy bunnyness (is this a word?!!) that is the issue, it's the appalling cruelty meeted out to these unfortunate animals that is the problem ! If animals are treated at least with respect, looked after with a modicum of duty of care and slaughtered humanely then even though we may not like the idea, we have to accept a different culture. Bit like continentals eating horse (yuk!) Cruelty to animals is the issue here!

Quite apart from their terrible human rights record and their barbaric treatment of animals ( both of which are well known facts) they manufacture and flood the market with shoddy
And in some cases dangerous goods.
Enough reasons to boycott them.

Anything that I can verify that is made in China....I don’t buy.
I can’t verify Chinese money being behind anything, anymore than anyone else can.

lemongrove Are none of your computer or phone gadgets made in China? Are you sure you never buy anything made with Chinese steel? Are you going to boycott 5G? Many items you buy are probably made by a company owned by a Chinese holding company or financed with Chinese money.

I would also like to boycott goods made in India (because of their human rights abuses) but that's not easy either because India has a big foothold in the generic drugs market. I'd also add Saudi Arabia to the list, but that's impossible too, unless I don't ever use anything which has been transported by road, using Saudi oil.

Jaberwok I abhor cruelty to animals too. The point I'm trying to make is that, unless one is a vegetarian or vegan, it's really hypocritical to criticise other countries about their eating habits. Animals for consumption in the UK aren't treated very well either. Wild animals are for sale and, in the case of lobsters, they're boiled alive.

Knowledge about China's treatment of animals isn't new, nor is their general human rights record. A million Muslims in the western part of the country are being treated abysmally (as are Muslims in India), but there hasn't been an international outcry. Educated Chinese know how their government treats them, but it's not that easy to leave the country or do anything about it.

This is the third thread on GN about Wuhan market and it really does seem that the issue of animal welfare is being politicised. Yes, China has questions to answer about its handling and initial response to the Covid-19 outbreak. Yes, it needs to enforce existing laws about illegal markets, although ironically it would face criticism for being even more authoritarian than it is. Interestingly, I found an American website complaining about the government banning the sale of bush meat in the US as an infringement of civil rights.

However, this does seem like an excuse to justify some kind of cultural war against "others". It's what usually happens in a crisis. People seek to blame others for something they can't control.

What's the difference between eating squirrel and other creatures such as a marmot or pangolin?

ridleysfishandgame.co.uk/from-the-land/

Ridley's Fish and Game in Corbridge, Northumberland, are now selling wild squirrel alongside their more traditional wares.
The owner, David Ridley, told BBC Radio Newcastle's Gilly Hope there's been a lot of curiosity about it.
"We never know how something new is going to go," he said. "Most of the game we sell is based along fairly traditional lines. You know pheasant will sell and venison will sell. This is a new venture really."

David advises roasting or stuffing the meat
"The situation for red squirrels is fairly well documented... so when people started to talk about the possibility of eating grey squirrel we were quite inquisitive about it."

David says the squirrels take a little longer to prepare than some other game because the skin is tough and suggests serving them whole as there isn't that much meat on them.
Grey squirrels are classified as vermin in the UK but David says there's no need to worry because they would spot if a squirrel was out of condition or diseased just as they would with another any fish or game.
The proof, of course, is in the eating and Gilly admitted to being more than a little nervous at the prospect of scoffing squirrel.
So what was her final verdict? "It's very sweet, I like it... It would be lovely on kebabs!"

The above article was from 2008, but the shop is still selling squirrel.

I'm not quite sure how this has ended up being about my apparent hilarity, but apology accepted.

Completely agree Jaberwok - Well said.

I think the issue is how animals for consumption are treated when they are alive and that they are humanely killed. Of course there are issues about this here and in other countries who profess to have animals welfare as a priority. All creatures deserve a decent quality of life and a humane end. Boiling dogs alive and torturing Bears does not fulfil that criteria to say the least!!! Sorry MisaAdventure, I too can't find anything even remotely funny about cruelty to animals!

Nobody should verbally abuse Chinese people living here because of what goes on over there of course.
I never buy anything made in China, but that isn’t new for me.
Getting harder of course but still possible to do.

SalsaQueen ....I agree, it won’t be closed down everywhere, and it’s totally disgusting.After this pandemic though, I would imagine China will think twice about continuing with ‘wildlife’ markets.
I read about the skinning of cats whilst they were alive once,
In a travel book, it upset the author mightily.....and me too.

I abhor any cruelty to animals and, coward that I am, I won't read the article as I know it is upsetting. I can't comprehend how anyone could be cruel to a living, breathing animal. I have signed umpteen petitions regarding animal cruelty, (along side many other causes). Humane Society International UK informed me yesterday that Shenzen, China's 5th largest city has become the first mainland city to ban the consumption of cats, dogs and wildlife. Let's hope other cities follow.

Yes and I agree with you certainly on the way the US and European countries farm chickens- totally disgusting. I also agree about the racist abuse. My issue is about the section of the Chinese population that do treat animals in the most appalling way. I’m pretty sure you don’t support the way some Chinese treat animals and I can’t imagine or understand why anyone would.

There's nothing appealing about the whole welfare issues surrounding animals destined for our plates, really.

BTW Dogs are farmed for meat in China. Presumably that makes it OK.

The way European countries and the US treat chickens is pretty disgusting too.

I don't support in any way the way some Chinese treat animals, but there are 1.5 billion Chinese. The ones in the rural west can't even communicate with those in Beijing and Shanghai. They have very little in common. A quarter of a million Chinese are vegetarian Buddhists. And those running Chinese restaurants and take aways in the UK (many of whom have never even been to China) certainly don't deserve the racist abuse they're getting.

No it wouldn’t. Don’t be ridiculous. They don’t ‘farm’ cats or dogs or do they? Glad you find it funny miss Adventure. What a weird thing to say. The way they treat animals in China is downright disgusting and you can defend them all you like. Completely disgusting.

Animal rights and the safety of eating animals are different issues.

Like many people, my mother ate the family rabbits and hens during WW2.

Best practice Animal Husbandry should be compulsory worldwide, until then I guess these species jumping viruses will continue.

Guinea pigs are farmed to be eaten in Peru. They're the same species as the cuddly little pets many children have.

An animal is an animal to me.

Even if it's fluffy.