Yemisi Izuora
The Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service, NAQS, has clarified that Donkey Hide remains on the Export Prohibition List.
The Service stressed that the resumption of the certification of that commodity for export hinges on the rebound of the Nigerian donkey herd which is still classified as an endangered species.
Reacting to a news report that erroneously suggested that NAQS had resumed the certification of Donkey Skin for export, the Director General of the agency, Dr. Vincent Isegbe in a statement signed by the Head of Media, Communication and Strategies, Chigozie P. Nwodo, in Abuja, pointed out that the Agency met with all the relevant associations in September last year to chart a course toward restocking the donkeys through breeding and ranching in order to put the animals beyond the threat of extinction.
Isegbe added that the government would consider delisting Donkey Hide from the contraband category only after the scale has tilted in favour of the recovery of the Nigerian donkeys.
The decline of the donkey population in Nigeria was driven by surging demand for Donkey Hide in Asia. The product is used in making potions and items presumed to have therapeutic and cosmetic value.