African Bushmeat in Brussels: high prices and high levels of misidentification
| dc.contributor.author | Gombeer, S. | |
| dc.contributor.author | Musaba, P. | |
| dc.contributor.author | Nebesse, C. | |
| dc.contributor.author | Ngoy, S. | |
| dc.contributor.author | Peeters, M. | |
| dc.contributor.author | Van Bourgonie, Y R. | |
| dc.contributor.author | Meganck, K. | |
| dc.contributor.author | Smitz, N. | |
| dc.contributor.author | Backeljau, T. | |
| dc.contributor.author | De Meyer, M. | |
| dc.contributor.author | Verheyen, E. | |
| dc.coverage.spatial | Africa | |
| dc.coverage.spatial | Europe | |
| dc.date | 2019 | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2024-03-14T13:20:38Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2024-03-14T13:20:38Z | |
| dc.identifier.uri | https://orfeo.belnet.be/handle/internal/12319 | |
| dc.description | Background: Notwithstanding the prohibition at national and European Union level to import individual consignments of meat (products), various publications report that large quantities of meat, including bushmeat, are entering Europe via its international airports, without authorization or certification. These studies suggest an organized market for African bushmeat in Europe. In order to get a first idea of the nature, extent and value of African bushmeat trade in Brussels, 16 travellers from Central African countries living in Brussels were interviewed. In addition, 15 pieces of bushmeat were bought in African grocery shops to explore: (i) which species are being sold, (ii) if these are endangered or legally protected (e.g. CITES), and (iii) the price of bushmeat in Brussels. Results: The interviews revealed that food from home is considered superior and that, notwithstanding the awareness of the rules and policies, African food products are often imported. The interviews also showed that apart from the authenticity and flavour arguments, bushmeat trafficking is seen as a way to make money or pay the travel expenses, while customs control is perceived as a lottery without much risks. The bushmeat pieces were identified using DNA-barcoding. They involved nine mammal species and seven of the 15 pieces were sold under a wrong species name. None of the nine species were endangered (IUCN Red List), but four species were CITES-listed. The maximum price of bushmeat in Brussels is twice the Belgian market price of a piece of premium livestock, but does not seem to be related to the species being sold. Significance: This study confirms that various types of bushmeat, including CITES-listed species, are available for sale in Brussels. The high prices confirm the luxury status of the product, while DNA-based identifications demonstrate that bushmeat is often mislabelled. | |
| dc.language | eng | |
| dc.title | African Bushmeat in Brussels: high prices and high levels of misidentification | |
| dc.type | Conference | |
| dc.subject.frascati | Biological sciences | |
| dc.audience | Scientific | |
| dc.subject.free | Invertebrates | |
| dc.source.title | 8th International Barcode of Life Conference | |
| Orfeo.peerreviewed | No | |
| dc.identifier.rmca | 5603 |
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