The Australian Government provided funding and support to the Australian Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine Association (AACMA) on the development of the Endangered Species Certification Scheme (ESCS).

The new scheme recognises the efforts of Australia�s traditional medicine professionals to protect endangered species. The scheme was launched in May 2008 by the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts, Peter Garrett.

The Endangered Species Certification Scheme enables traditional medicine professionals to obtain official acknowledgement that the wildlife products they use or sell do not contain ingredients from threatened species.

�From today, traditional medicine professionals will be able to use an accreditation logo on their shop front or in any printed material or on websites to communicate publicly that they only use wildlife products that are legally acquired,� Mr Garrett said.

�As well as acknowledging the environmental commitment of each accredited professional, this scheme will help to raise awareness among consumers and encourage them to make informed choices when they are about to buy services and products.�

The launch of the scheme coincided with the 2008 Australasian Acupuncture and Chinese Medicines Conference (AACMAC), attended by delegates from throughout the world. As part of the launch the first twenty certificates were awarded and conference participants were invited to attend the Departmental information booth and morning tea.

Over 100 applications kits were distributed at the conference and many have been successfully certified under the scheme since.