Side-effects of wildlife trade bans

With the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, it is common to hear that wildlife trade and consumption are threatening health security. There are lots of posts, on the social medias for example, with simple but dangerous views suggesting that banning wildlife trade is effective to control zoonotic diseases. Despite the supposed link between COVID-19 and a wet market in Wuhan, prohibiting wildlife trade creates illegal trade channels resulting in less surveillance. Another negative impact might be the weakened conservation of wild species when targeting species as ‘responsible’ for a disease outbreak, leading also to less respect for nature. Our behaviours, industries, agriculture and the current globalisation context are drivers for emergence of new diseases. The opinion should focus more on preparedness and our current weaknesses in global heath security.

Link:  https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanplh/article/PIIS2542-5196(20)30123-6/fulltext