Wildlife served at a restaurant table will result in all diners at the table being punished, even if they have not eaten the dish, a revised draft on prohibiting wildlife eating stipulates.

The legislative commission of the local people's congress Wednesday added the new rule into the draft to make the regulation more practical and fairer.

The old version of the draft stipulated that only the hosts of wildlife dinners would be fined from 2,000 yuan (US$240) to 10,000 yuan (US$120). However, it did not specify the responsibilities of other eaters, leaving room for dispute.

Meanwhile, the revised draft allows people to eat wild animals that have been raised in captivity for at least three generations with mature farming techniques.

However, the revised draft forbids the consumption of wildlife protected by State and the Guangdong Provincial Government and animals regarded by the State forestry administration as of great scientific value.

The draft will be submitted to the Standing Committee of the Shenzhen Municipal People's Congress for discussion later this month. If approved, it is expected to take effect Oct. 1.

(Shenzhen Daily August 8, 2003)