Ejiao Act Reintroduced to Tackle 'Senseless' Donkey Skin Trade
While ejiao remains largely unknown to most American consumers, the United States stands as the third-largest importer of ejiao-containing products, with an annual import value of approximately $12 million.
A Species Unite-backed bill to ban the sale and trade of ejiao (donkey-hide gelatine) products in the United States has been reintroduced in the House of Representatives this week by US Representative Don Beyer (D-VA) this week
Originally introduced in 2021, the Ejiao Act (then H.R. 5203 and now H.R. 6021) would prohibit the knowing sale or transport of ejiao made using donkey skin, or products containing ejiao made using donkey skin, in interstate or foreign commerce.
Ejiao is made from boiling the hides of donkeys and used in cosmetics, candy, and traditional Chinese medicine. Every year, 4.8 million donkeys are killed for their skins around the world. At this current rate of slaughter, half of the global donkey population could be wiped out in just a few years.
The industry has come under investigation, exposing a disturbing pattern of abuse. Donkeys are transported in overcrowded vehicles without access to food or water, with many becoming sick, suffering from injuries, or experiencing miscarriages. In slaughterhouses, exposes have revealed donkeys being bashed in the head with sledgehammers, violently beaten, and skinned alive.
The demand for donkey skins has also led to a rise in donkey thefts. This proves a huge problem for farmers who rely on donkeys for transport, domestic work, and milk.
An injured donkey dumped outside a slaughterhouse. Credit: PETA Asia
“Although China is the biggest importer of donkey skin gelatin, the United States is the third-largest consumer of ejiao in the world, accounting for an estimated $12 million worth of annual imports. This is completely unacceptable,” says Elizabeth Novogratz, Species Unite Founder and Executive Director. “To make matters worse, donkey skin can even be purchased on Amazon. There are multiple different sellers offering items containing this product derived from the kidnapping, torture and killing of innocent donkeys.”
In February, the nonprofit Center for Contemporary Equine Studies sued Amazon, alleging that Amazon's sale of ejiao violates the Prohibition of Horse Slaughter and Sale of Horsemeat for Human Consumption Act, a California animal welfare law. The law, which came into effect in 1998, prohibits the sale of horsemeat for human consumption. The Center argues that the law applies to all equine animals, including donkeys, and therefore prohibits the sale of ejiao in the state.
“The ejiao trade is senseless and poses grave risks to donkeys around the world,” said Joanna Grossman, Ph.D., equine program director and senior policy advisor for the farmed animal program at the Animal Welfare Institute (AWI). “There is no need for these products that entail substantial cruelty and confer no real health benefits.”
Grossman stressed that the legislation would set a “strong precedent for other nations to shut down ejiao sales.”
AWI has also released information to help consumers avoid purchasing anything containing ejiao, advising people to read product information and ingredient lists carefully. Related terms include “donkey hide,” “donkey glue,” “donkey-hide gelatin,” “donkey skin plastic,” “donkey oil,” and “colla corii asini” (Latin for “donkey neck hide”), or iterations using “ass” in lieu of “donkey,” they write.
Credit: PETA Asia
What Can You Do?
“Species Unite is deeply moved by the compassion of 30,000 of our supporters who have already signed our urgent petition, advocating for an end to US participation in this trade. Their voices are playing an essential role in the ongoing battle to protect donkeys from this violent abuse,” said Novogratz. “Species Unite also thanks Representative Beyer for their efforts to help put a stop to this horrific international trade.
“We urge everyone to join us by signing our petition and contacting their representatives, asking them to cosponsor this bill today,” she adds.
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