WWF urges end to wildlife trade, consumption in Asia-Pacific
(VOVWORLD) - The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) has appealed for an end to wildlife trade and consumption across the Asia-Pacific region amid the ongoing spread of Covid-19 and similar diseases in recent years.
The WWF says illegal wildlife trade and consumption are potential threats to human health. (Photo: VNA)
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According to the organization, the current emergence and spread of COVID-19, as well as SARS, MERS, and other similar outbreaks in recent history, have shown potential threats to human health posed by illegal wildlife trade and consumption.
WWF Vietnam Director Van Ngoc Thinh said WWF offices in the Asia-Pacific has welcomed the decision to ban the consumption of wild animal meat and unregulated wildlife trade made by the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress of China – the highest law-making body of that country.
They have also called on other East Asian nations to make similar decisions to protect people’s health and life, he said, noting that Southeast Asia is still known as a source and a transit point of wildlife products for China.
WWF offices in the Asia-Pacific has called government agencies to eradicate the trade and consumption of wild animal meat and wildlife products.