After the Quang Ninh rescues – Animals Asia’s landmark 2015 campaign, which saw bile farming stopped in its most notorious province – Vietnam is imagining a bile farm-free future.

Animals Asia founder and CEO Jill Robinson and Vietnam Country Director Tuan Bendixsen joined representatives from the Quang Ninh local government and the Vietnam Administration of Forestry on 3 December 2015 in officially announcing an end to bear bile farming in the northern Vietnamese province. And news agencies in Vietnam took note.

The press conference was covered by 15 news outlets through the country, including national broadcasters VTV1 and an assortment of regional newspapers. 

In attendance were a who’s who of senior officials from local and central government: Mr Dang Huy Hau – Vice Chairman of Quang Ninh People’s Committee, Mr Cao Chi Cong – Deputy General Director of Vietnam Administration of Forestry, Mr Pham Van Phat – Director of Quang Ninh Forest Protection Department, Mr Nguyen Huu Giang – Director of Quang Ninh Agriculture Department and Dr Tran The Lien – Director of Nature Conservation Department.

Jill said: 

“The determination shown by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and Quang Ninh People's Committee to end bear bile farming in Quang Ninh was evidenced in the effective participation of all levels of government during the preparation and the rescues themselves.

“To this end, I pay special tribute to Mr Hau and Mr Cong for their sincerity and commitment in protecting and conserving endangered and threatened bear species here in Vietnam.

“I also enthusiastically thank the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and Quang Ninh Forest Protection Department for their tremendous support during the past 5 years, without whose effective collaboration and determination, we would not be here today witnessing the official end to bear bile farming in Quang Ninh.”

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