Over the last months news media reported about a huge demand from China for donkey hides, which puts under great pressure the donkey populations and their owners worldwide. The hides are used to produce a traditional Chinese medicine. An extensive report on the issue is now published by THE DONKEY SANCTUARY.

SFET French Working Equids Society The French Working Equids Society SFET was founded in 2012 and is meant to be the contact for national authorities regarding all the issues concerning the French working equid breeds, that is 7 donkey breeds, 2 mule breeds, 9 draught horse breeds and 8 local breeds of horses and poneys, in total 24 breeds counting 225.000 animals. In order to reverse the decline in the birth rate of these breeds the SFET is committed on different action levels: developing tools allowing to produce animals that meet the demand of the market ( characterization, selection, valorisation, marketing) and organize the exchange between producers of good working equids and their customers. www.sfet.fr

This handbook explains how to farm with oxen or donkeys in tropical Africa. It provides information and advice about the housing, feeding, training and handling of the traction animals and about their health care. The vehicles and implements used for transport, plowing, harrowing, ridging, weeding, seeding and planting are presented and their use and maintenance are explained. The booklet also deals with soil and sustainable farming techniques for different crops and vegetables. A final chapter gives practical advice about farm management.