这项禁令由尼日尔的农业部门、财政部门以及内政外贸部门联合发布.
Why China can't get enough donkeys
为什么中国的驴市场总是供不应求?
Gelatin made from donkey skin is highly prized in China as a medicinal tonic, thought to nourish the blood, boost the immune system and act as a general pick-me-up. It is sometimes referred to as one of the "three nourishing treasures" (zi bu san bao), along with ginseng and the antlers of young deer.
中国人认为从驴皮中提取出来的驴胶具有疏通血液、改善免疫机制以及提神的功能,多用于制作保健补品,被视为保健珍品.有时,驴胶与人参、鹿茸一同被称为"滋补三宝".
The most famous donkey gelatin is produced in Dong'e County in Shandong Province, where it is traditionally made with the local well-water.
中国山东省东阿县是最著名的驴胶产地,当地用古法井水制作驴胶.
Donkey gelatin is sometimes mixed with walnuts, goji berries and other tonic foods and sold in dark, gummy slabs that can be eaten as a snack.
驴胶通常与核桃、枸杞以及其他滋补品一起混合制成黑色有嚼劲的厚片,可以用来当零食吃.
Health and longevity is a Chinese national obsession, and tonic foods like this are often lavishly packaged and presented as expensive gifts.
健康长寿是中国人的追求,而类似的滋补品则经常以极为精美的包装作为贵重礼品相赠.
Aside from gelatin, donkey meat is a delicacy in some Chinese regions, especially in the north of the country.
除了驴胶,驴肉也深受中国人喜爱,尤其是在中国北方地区.
Here, the lean meat is often simmered in a richly-spiced broth, and then cooled, sliced and served with a refreshing dip of chopped garlic and vinegar. The meat has a fine, dense texture and a marvellous flavour that's a little reminiscent of beef.
在那里,精瘦的驴肉会配上香料在锅里炖,等到驴肉冷却再切片,与蒜片醋料一同呈上餐桌.驴肉纹理缜密坚韧,味道极佳,风味有点像牛肉.
In northern Hebei province, one famous snack is the lu rou huo shao, in which chopped, spiced donkey meat is mixed with fresh green chilli and stuffed into a layered pastry - its name is sometimes translated into English as a "donkey burger".
Donkey meat may also be made into soups and stews.
驴肉也可以做汤.
As the Chinese middle classes have grown richer, demand for donkey gelatin and other tonic delicacies has soared - in January the New York Times reported that a shortage of donkey gelatin had encouraged a boom in imitation products.
随着中国中产阶级生活水平的提高,驴胶和其他滋补品的需求猛增——今年1月《纽约时报》曾报道,因驴胶短缺,仿制品也开始大幅增加.
英文来源:BBC