Summary 9

Dalton R. Fossil protection law comes under fire. Nature [Internet]. 2009 Aug 25 [cited 2009 Sept 17];460: 1067 . Available from: http://www.nature.com.mutex.gmu.edu/news/2009/090825/full/4601067b.html

Recently, in China, fossil excavation laws have given the rights to private enterprise rather that to scientists and the government. This had fueled large amounts of digging by poor Chinese farmers and land owners. Chinese paleontologists are concerned about the loss of many fossils being dug up with poor technique and sold to international traders. The Chinese government, on the recommendation of Chinese paleontologists, is working to change the laws so as to give the government more control over excavation finds.
Many scientists worldwide have concerns that the change in the federal law will only enhance the illegal black market trade in fossils. Some of the remedies considered include having the land and resource ministry control over vertebrate fossil collections. Also they would like to have a group of paleontologists that oversee the collections nationwide. Some concerns include that local jurisdictions could prevent scientists excavating by demanding large sums of money. While everyone agrees that the local jurisdiction should have some say, there is concern that the officials there will not have enough knowledge with which to make good judgments. Support for the efforts, whatever the details, is strong within the paleontological world, and there is hope that the changes will protect the natural history of China.