Plans to ease a ban on the trading in tiger and rhinoceros parts have been postponed by the Chinese government.
While the trade of the endangered animals was banned by the country in 1993, in October the government announced it would allow the parts to be used for medical, scientific and cultural purposes.
The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) said the decision would have “devastating consequences globally” and along with other animal rights groups it raised fears that poaching and smuggling of the endangered animals could increase.
But executive deputy secretary-general of the state council Ding Xuedong said the change had “been postponed after study”, state run news agency Xinhua reported.
“Relevant departments of the Chinese government will soon continue to organise special crackdown campaigns with focus on addressing the illegal trade of rhinos, tigers and their by products,” he said.
“Illegal acts will be dealt with severely,” he added.