China has moved towards a full ban on eating dogs by stating that they should not be regarded as livestock for human consumption.

In a move that will be welcomed by animal welfare campaigners the country’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs has revised a list of livestock animals which can be traded for meat.

China temporarily restricted wildlife trading and consumption in February in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak, which was thought to have originated in "wet" markets where live animals are sold alongside slaughtered meat.

The Ministry of Agriculture explicitly signalled a move towards a permanent ban on the sale of dog meat in a draft document published on Wednesday and open to public consultation until May 8.

"With the progress of human civilisation and the public's concern and preference for animal protection, dogs have changed from traditional domestic animals to companion animals," the document said.

"Dogs are generally not regarded as livestock and poultry around the world, and China should also not manage them as livestock and poultry."