Coronavirus-China unveils new list of animals that can be farmed for meat

The Chinese government released a new list of animals that can be farmed for meat as the country begins to reopen to a new normal following the novel coronavirus outbreak that is thought to have originated in a wet market in Wuhan, reports ABC News.

The draft list was released by the country’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs and is available online for a public comment period.

ABC adds that The list of acceptable livestock and poultry includes 18 species of traditional staples such as pig, cow, chicken, sheep, goat and more.

The government document also designates 13 species of “special livestock” such as deer, reindeer, alpaca and others.

It also includes a special category of livestock that can be raised for fur but not for food including mink, foxes and raccoons.

China’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs noted in a statement accompanying the list that dogs “have been ‘specialized’ from traditional domestic animals to companion animals” and should not be included as “livestock” for food.