Wild animals belong in the wild — let’s make sure the G20 knows that
Whilst we don’t know where the next pandemic will come from, our current understanding is the global outbreak of COVID-19 originated from wild animals, and what happens next is crucial to prevent it from happening again.
One area that poses a high risk for disease emergence is the global wildlife trade. The horrific conditions in which wild animals are captured, farmed, transported and traded, causes unimaginable suffering, creating a hotbed of diseases.
In order to create a safer world for both people and animals, we are proposing a global ban on the wildlife trade. Our target is the G20 — an annual meeting of leaders from countries with the largest and fastest-growing economies. Its members account for 85% of the world’s GDP, and two-thirds of the global population.
The G20 carries enormous political and economic weight and is well placed to lead the development of a global ban on the trade of wildlife. Collectively, the G20 can move quickly and can send an important signal to UN institutions and multilateral organisations on the direction they need to move.
The world’s largest economies should show leadership and act boldly and decisively to help lower the threat of a future pandemic.
Since the COVID-19 pandemic hit, China and Vietnam have put some restrictions on wildlife trade and consumption. In January of this year, as China went into lockdown, a group of 19 academics from the Chinese Academy of Sciences and leading universities jointly issued a public statement calling for an end to the trade, saying it should be treated as a “public safety issue”.
What we know for certain at this stage, is the virus belongs to a group of genetically related coronaviruses that includes SARS-CoV and other viruses isolated from bat populations. It is believed to be a zoonotic pathogen, transmitted from wild animals to humans. COVID-19 is the latest in a long list of illnesses originating from animals — Ebola, AIDS, MERS and SARS were all also believed to have been transmitted to humans from animals.
The risks of zoonotic disease spreading to human populations has increased in recent decades because of the greater degree of contact between animals and people. With the impact and grim reality of the COVID-19 pandemic sweeping across the globe, we can no longer ignore the dangers of exploiting wild animals:
· 60% of emerging infectious diseases are zoonotic, meaning they originate from animals, with 70% of these thought to originate specifically from wild animals
· The methods used to snatch animals from their natural habitats and the poor conditions of animals being farmed or held in captivity are extremely distressing for them and can cause injury and even death
· Globally, the exploitation of wild animals also poses a major threat to biodiversity and the survival of species, many of whom are already at the edge of extinction
· The dangers of exploiting wild animals is a risk for future global health crises and our environment for generations to come.
A global wildlife trade ban is a practical way to reduce the ongoing threat of zoonotic disease — it requires governments to not only introduce stricter enforcement and prosecution measures on wildlife trade in the short-term, but to make a long-term shift away from viewing wild animals merely as commercial assets, and towards recognising the value of protecting wildlife and wild habitats for the wellbeing of animals, ecosystems and society.
China
A temporary ban on the domestic trade and consumption of wild terrestrial animals was introduced in late January by the Chinese government in the immediate aftermath of the outbreak of COVID-19. This became a permanent ban on the 24 February, this year (2020), when a decision (which is equivalent to a law) was made by the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress.
The ban will require governments at various levels such as the city and provincial level — to strengthen supervisory, inspection and investigate and punish violations of this decision and relevant laws and regulations. It is the provinces who issue the permits. As we have witnessed over recent months many cities have also announced ban on the consumption of terrestrial wild animals — Zhuhai, Beijing and Wuhan. Shenzhen has gone further also banning the consumption of dogs and cats and these have either already come into effect or will do soon.
Specific measures to compensate wildlife farm breeders who have lost their livelihoods as a consequence of this ban are also being considered. Relevant amendments to the Wildlife Protection Law are set to happen this year.
This is a step in the right direction, but it does not go far enough. If deadly disease outbreaks are to be prevented in future, we need to see this ban extended to include the use and trade of wild animals for all purposes — including for entertainment, traditional medicine and as exotic pets.
Vietnam
On the 23 July, Vietnam’s Prime Minister issued a directive with immediate effect to ban imports of live wild animals and wildlife products into Vietnam, eliminate wildlife markets where illegal wildlife is sold, and enforce prohibitions on illegal hunting and trading of wild animals, including online sales. Farming bears for their bile is illegal in Vietnam. The Directive therefore doesn’t affect this situation. However, the Directive places an emphasis on rooting out illegal wildlife farming practices, which will help to strengthen enforcement action.
Other countries?
More countries now need to come on board to phase out the trade in wild animals and wild animal products for commercial purposes both internationally — between countries — and domestically. Governments around the world have the opportunity and a responsibility to bring an end to the global commercial trade in wildlife — once and for all.
The G20 has an important role to play and World Animal Protection is engaging with G20 governments to persuade them that a ban on the global wildlife trade is not only necessary but possible.
We are relying on the G20, more than ever, to protect human health and prevent animal cruelty.
