The Ejiao Act (H.R.6021), has been reintroduced to the United States congress. We at HAHS believe that this is an extremely important piece of legislation when it comes to the protection of equine animals.  

Ejiao (or gelatin made from donkey hide) is a unethically produced material that is present in multiple different categories of consumer goods (such as beauty and medicinal products). Over 4 million donkey hides are consumed each year for this material.  

Recently, a bill has been reintroduced into the congress of the United States regarding the ejiao trade, and we at HAHS find this regulation important to ensuring the humane treatment of equine animals. Dubbed the Ejiao Act, the bill intends to, as quoted; “…prohibit the transportation, sale, and purchase of donkeys or donkey hides for the purpose of producing ejiao, to prohibit the transportation, sale, and purchase of products containing ejiao, and for other purposes.”  

Ejiao is gelatin that is produced from donkey hides, and is used in a variety of different beauty, medicinal, and other luxury goods. The demand for ejiao has resulted in the decimation of worldwide donkey populations. The United States is actually the third biggest importer of ejiao and large distributors still host products on their website that contain ejiao. Despite the fact that plant-based alternatives can be used as substitutes, the demand for this product has increased, with estimates indicating that over 4 million donkey hides are used a year for just the production of ejiao.  

Donkeys are still vital animals to many people around the world; they are relied upon to take goods to and from markets, take children to school, and assist in farming and other hard tasks. As a result of the demand for ejiao, many donkeys have been stolen from their owners around the world. These donkeys are transported in horrid conditions, often times donkeys may die along the journey and their carcasses left on the side of the road after being skinned on the spot.  

The Ejiao Act (H.R.6021) was recently reintroduced to help curb the demand for this product. By outlawing it outright, the illicit ejiao market would in turn lose its third largest importer. Efforts from representatives Don Beyer from Virginia who reintroduced the bill are vital in ensuring the protection of donkeys not just here in the United States, but worldwide. HAHS firmly stands behind the efforts of congressmen that are looking to push this bill to pass.  

If you are interested in avoiding purchasing products that contain ejiao, carefully read the list of ingredients of any product in the categories of beauty or medicinal uses. Be on the lookout for related terms such as “donkey glue”, “donkey hide”, “donkey-hide gelatin”, “donkey oil”, or iterations using “ass” in lieu of donkey. 

If you are interested in making your voice heard, contact your local representatives and congressmen about the bill and its passage.