Rat breeders worry over their future

Last year, a proposal to establish a quarantine standard for bamboo rats was submitted to the Guangxi government by a professional institution. However, the proposal had not been approved, Liu said.

"The proposal was supposed to be resubmitted this year, but then the COVID-19 outbreak emerged," he added.

Liu estimates that with the joint efforts of a number of government departments, it will take one or two years to implement such a standard－as long as the proposal is approved.

"If this industry has to end, the compensation paid should be reasonable, as this will impact greatly on those who have recently escaped poverty or are still living under the poverty line," Liu said.

He added that about one-third of those in the industry have no permits, and it is likely that only workers with such documentation will receive compensation.

"Some breeders, especially those who are impoverished, only raise a small number of the rodents, and it's difficult to apply for permits on such a small scale. That's why they need to trade with local cooperatives," Liu said.