China has repealed the law banning the trade of tiger bones and rhino horns, to the upset of animal activist groups worldwide.
The law was first put into action in 1993 to protect China's endangered wildlife.
Both are traditional ingredients in Chinese medicine, but in 2010 the World Federation of Chinese Medicine Societies released a statement urging members not to use any parts from endangered species.
In a statement released by the Chinese Cabinet on Monday (NZ Time), the State Council said they would be controlling the trade and use of the animal products.
It seemed to gloss over the fact that this "control" would mean lifting the total ban that had been in place.
The statement said rhinos, tigers, and their products are used in scientific research, but will need to "be reported to and approved by authorities".
It highlighted plans to use only farmed tiger and rhino products in medical research and healing, and can only be used by qualified doctors in qualified hospitals.
The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) released a statement on Monday saying the lift on a total ban will blur the lines for some people who will look to make a profit off the trade, with little care for the wildlife impact.
They expressed extreme concern over the changes.
"WWF urgently calls on China to maintain the ban on tiger bone and rhino horn trade which has been so crucial in conserving these iconic species."
WWF Wildlife Practice Leader Margaret Kinnaird said the trade will "have devastating consequences globally".
She referred to China's on-going struggle with the legality of ivory trade, leading to a total ban to keep poachers at bay, which started at the beginning of this year.
"China's experience with the domestic ivory trade has clearly shown the difficulties of trying to control parallel legal and illegal markets for ivory.
"Not only could this lead to the risk of legal trade providing cover to illegal trade, this policy will also stimulate demand that had otherwise declined."
There are currently only an estimated 3890 tigers living in the wild, and around 32,000 wild rhinos across all species.
Ms Kinnaird said "with wild tiger and rhino populations at such low levels and facing numerous threats, legalised trade in their parts is simply too great a gamble for China to take".
She said it contradicted the ban on ivory trade in China's efforts to save wild elephants by gambling the lives of two other endangered species.
Newshub.
