New York urged to ban “brutal” ejiao trade which kills millions of donkeys each year
The United States is one of the largest importers of products containing ejiao, a gelatin made from boiled donkey hides.
Over a dozen animal protection groups have called on New York to ban the “brutal” ejiao trade which kills millions of donkeys each year.
Ejiao (pronounced “eh-gee-yow”) is a gelatin made from boiling the hides of donkeys. It is used in traditional Chinese medicine, foods, and cosmetics.
While ejiao may be relatively unknown to many Americans, the US is the third largest importer of ejiao products with an estimated $12 million worth imported each year.
Now, the Animal Welfare Institute (AWI) is among several groups calling for New York to ban the sale of ejiao products. In an open letter addressed to New York Attorney General Letitia James, the groups argue that the sale of ejiao in New York may be violating a recently-passed state law that prohibits horse slaughter and the sale of horseflesh for consumption.
In December of 2023, New York became the fifth state to ban the slaughter of horses for human consumption. In the legislation, it specifically outlines that the term “horse” includes all members of the equine family, including donkeys and mules.
AWI’s letter to James points out that ejiao - made from donkeys - expressly falls under New York’s own prohibition, and urges the Attorney General to investigate whether vendors of ejiao products in New York fall under the “clear prohibition against consuming equines” in the state.
“Brutal” and “senseless” trade
Millions of donkeys are killed each year to produce ejiao products.
Animal welfare groups say that donkeys in the ejiao trade often endure “immense” suffering, including appalling transport conditions without food, water, or rest, arriving at slaughterhouses with severe wounds and infections, and being beaten and subjected to unsuccessful stunning attempts prior to slaughter.
The industry has faced increasing political pressure in recent years as an increasing demand for ejiao has led to donkey populations being decimated.
China’s own population of donkeys dropped from an estimated 11 million in 1992 to roughly 2 million. As a result of the dwindling population in China, donkey hides have increasingly been sourced from Africa, and North and South America.
The problem has become so severe that earlier this year the African Union introduced a 15-year ban on the donkey skin trade across its 55 member states.
Campaigners in the US are attempting to follow the African Union’s landmark decision by passing the bipartisan Ejiao Act (H.R. 6021). Led by Rep. Don Beyer (D-VA), the act would prohibit the transport, sale, and purchase of products containing ejiao and of donkeys and donkey hides for the production of ejiao.
So far the bill has not yet advanced out of committee.
“Unfortunately, the United States is contributing to the burgeoning ejiao trade, leading to the decimation of donkey populations worldwide,” said Joanna Grossman, PhD, equine program director and senior policy advisor for AWI’s Farmed Animal Program. “New York has a real opportunity to clamp down on the sale of ejiao and protect these trusted and loyal animals from a brutal and senseless trade.”
Species Unite is among those campaigning for a US ban on ejiao trade. Thanks to our supporters, we’ve already handed officials a petition with over 50,000 signatures in support of the Ejiao Act. Now, we’re asking to please reach out to your Member of the House of Representatives to co-sponsor the Ejiao Act. Thousands have already done so - and you can too here.
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