PARLIAMENTARY WRITTEN QUESTION
Animals: Markets (25 March 2020)

Question Asked

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what discussions he has had with his international counterparts on closing all markets selling wild animals for consumption in (a) China and (b) throughout the world.

Asked by:
Sir John Hayes (Conservative)

Answer

As Parliament rose earlier than planned and the first day for answer of this PQ was after the Easter recess, due to the pace of developments during the COVID-19 crisis, I submitted a response by email on 2 April, with the following response. The Table Office have agreed this approach.

Pandemics arise as a combination of events and are a global concern. The origin of the Covid-19 virus is not yet clear, although it has been linked to viruses occurring in animals. The UK is at the forefront of international efforts to regulate global trade in wild animals and my officials regularly raise our concerns with other governments, including China, and with international authorities. The World Animal Health Organisation, of which the UK is a member, will be addressing wildlife trade at the next general session in May 2020. On 24 February 2020 China's National People's Congress passed a law banning the wildlife trade and the consumption of wild animals.


Answered by:
Nigel Adams (Conservative)
21 April 2020

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