New US rhino and tiger product labelling legislation

The US Rhino and Tiger Product Labelling Act, signed into law on 30 Oct 1998, amends the Rhino and Tiger Conservation Act of 1994. Although the USA has prohibited imports of such products for many years, a significant number of manufactured TCM products labelled as containing rhino and tiger parts continued to be available in USA. The new legislation prohibits the import, export and sale of any product for human consumption or application containing, or labelled or advertised to contain, any substance derived from any species of rhinoceros or tiger. It carries apenalty of up to 6 months in prison, and fines of up to $12.000 per violation. The act also provides for the development and implementation of an educational outreach program in the USA for the conservation of rhinos and tigers.