The days of donkey skin products on Amazon for California residents have come to an end, thanks to a resolution with a non-profit dedicated to horse welfare. Amazon's inventory, which included pills, powders, and cakes infused with donkey skin is no longer available for purchase.
Halting Sales of Edible Donkey Products
If you were considering purchasing donkey meat on Amazon for your Christmas festivities, you'll need to explore alternative options. The largest online retailer globally has officially halted the sale of edible donkey products in California, as reported by The Verge.
This change in Amazon's policy comes after extensive negotiations spanning several months with the Center for Contemporary Equine Studies, a nonprofit organization committed to safeguarding horses.
The catalyst for this shift occurred in February when the center lodged a legal complaint, contending that Amazon's promotion and distribution of items containing ejiao.
This is a component derived from donkey skin prevalent in health supplements, an afoul of California's animal welfare legislation known as the Prohibition of Horse Slaughter and Sale of Horsemeat for Human Consumption Act. The Center for Contemporary Equine Studies contends that donkeys are encompassed within the term "horsemeat."
Responding to the Complaint
In response to a legal complaint, Amazon has settled, agreeing to cease the sale of products containing ejiao in California. While Amazon maintains its innocence and disputes the allegations made by the center, court documents reveal the terms of the resolution.
Corey Page, an attorney from the law firm Evans & Page representing the center, suggests that Amazon's decision to settle may indicate a recognition of potential legal challenges. The move is seen as a signal that engaging in such practices might be considered illegal.
Wired reported that Page emphasizes that if a prominent entity like Amazon is halting the promotion of products violating California law, it sets a precedent for other retailers to follow suit.
As per the settlement terms, Amazon has committed to making "reasonable best efforts" and implementing "internal measures" to prevent the sale of ejiao-containing products, ensuring they are not available for purchase by California residents.
The effectiveness of this approach remains uncertain, given previous instances where Amazon struggled to enforce its prohibitions.
In a June 2020 investigation by The Markup, Amazon was found to have overlooked its list of banned items, including bongs, pill presses, and gun parts. A CNBC report from the same year revealed instances of Amazon shipping expired baby formula and other consumables.
Other retailers have also taken steps to restrict the sale of donkey meat in recent years. In 2018, both Walmart and eBay made commitments to discontinue ejiao products following pressure from animal rights advocates. These advocates argued that the soaring demand for donkey-derived products contributed to the inhumane treatment of these animals.
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