Econ Newspaper Cutting
1
Sars scales down snake trade
However, only a few people have been seen eating
Cally Cheng
in premises serving snake, Chau said.
Snake traders' business has slumped by as much as
Chau added that as it was now approaching the end
60 per cent since the mainland government stopped
of the snake season, many of his counterparts could
the export of snakes following the Sars outbreak.
face closure next year after turnover had slumped
to unprecedented lows over the past few months.
In late March, the State Forestry Administration of
Snakes remained as Sars-causing ``suspects'' in
China banned the trade in wild animals that could
people's mind, therefore people want to wait and
possibly be linked to the spread of the Sars virus,
see, Chau said.
including snakes.
Chau said the Food and Environmental Hygiene
The ban forced local snake traders to import more
Department and Agriculture, Fisheries and
expensive stock from elsewhere in Southeast Asia,
Conservation Department paid frequent inspection
including Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand and
to the snake shops and collected snake samples
Malaysia.
from them, and that there have been no positive
coronavirus results in their stock.
Chau Ka Ling, owner of Shia Wong Hip restaurant
in Sham Shui Po, said snakes imported from
Mainland authorities banned the trading of wild
Southeast Asia were 30 per cent more expensive
animals after scientists in Hong Kong and
than those imported from the mainland.
Guangdong found the Sars-causing coronavirus in
civet cats. It was concluded that wild animal
``The transportation fees are much higher and
markets provided an environment where the virus
transported snakes have a higher death rate.''
could be passed on to humans.
Kam Oi Ho, one of the founders of the Hong Kong
Hong Kong residents eat 75,000 snakes each year,
and Kowloon Snake Merchants Association and
67,500, or 90 per cent, of which are imported from
owner of Ship Wong Yuen shop in Mong Kok, also
China. The Hong Kong and Kowloon Snake
said many of their counterparts could not continue
Merchants Association has sent a request to the
their business operations because they did not have
State Forestry Administration urging authorities to
enough stock to sell.
resume the export of snakes. The reply they
received was ``encouraging,'' Chau said, and they
Chau said business has been severely affected by
expected good news next year.
rumours that snakes carry the Sars-causing
coronavirus, saying turnover was just 40 per cent
when compared with last year.
The period after Mid-autumn festival is usually the
peak season for snake banquets in Hong Kong.
Summary of the News
From The Standard, 8 Dec 2003
Econ Newspaper Cutting
2
After the outbreak of SARS, the mainland stopped the export of snakes. This forced
the snake traders to import snakes from Southeast Asia, but snakes imported from
Southeast Asia were 30 per cent more expensive than those imported from the
mainland. Moreover, since the people are afraid that eating snakes may get SARS,
they reduce their demand for snakes. The sales of snakes decrease 40 per cent
compared with last year. Therefore, the snake traders’ business is greatly affected by
the fear of outbreak of SARS.
Price
S2
S1
P1
P2
D2
0
D1
No. of Snakes
Q2
Q1
Since the mainland stopped the export of snakes, the traders need to import snakes
from Southeast Asia, which are more expensive. Supply of snakes decreases and the
supply curve shifts left.
People are afraid of getting SARS, so they eat fewer snakes. Demand decreases and
the demand curve shifts left.
Decrease in demand is greater than decrease in supply. Therefore, the price of snakes
will decrease and the quantity transacted also decreases.
Ann Lou (20)
Jessica Man (21)
F.4A