COVID-19 Highlights the Need for More Effective Wildlife Trade Legislation

Abstract

Zoonosis-based epidemics are inevitable unless we revisit our relationship with the natural world, protect habitats, and regulate wildlife trade, including live animals and non-sustenance products. To prevent future zoonoses, governments must establish effective legislation addressing wildlife trade, protection of habitats, and reduction of the wildlife-livestock-human interface.

Keywords: Asia; biodiversity crisis; conservation; emerging infectious diseases; legislation; pandemic; policy; wildlife trade; wildlife trafficking; zoonoses.