China’s top legislature said it will immediately ban the trade and consumption of wild animals, in a fast-track decision it says will allow the country to win the battle against the corona-virus outbreak.
The announcement, made according to the official Xinhua News Agency, comes after an initial suspension of the trade and consumption of wildlife in January.
Since the outbreak of corona-virus, the Chinese economy is in shambles. Provinces accounting for 69% of the total GDP of China are closed. Wuhan, the Chinses province where the virus first originated, is the industrial hub for china’s booming car parts and accessories.
China’s top legislature imposed a total ban on trade and consumption of wild animals https://t.co/iMC4GM14t3
— Bloomberg Economics (@economics) February 24, 2020
Car manufacturing companies like the Fiat Chrysler have halted the production of new cars due to non-availability of spare parts.
From iPhones to LCDs, much of consumer technology is manufactured or assembled in China. Half of the total iPhones are assembled in China and Apple has closed much of its stores there.
China accounts for almost 17% of the total global economy. A recent report by Oxford economics predicted that a downturn of 2.3% is expected in global economy if the trend in reduction of economic activities continue.
Scientists suspect, but have not proven, that the new coronavirus passed to humans from animals. The disease has now killed almost 2,700 people in China and spread to countries around the globe.
Read more: Global economic crisis ahead of Coronavirus! IMF warns
Some of the earliest infections were found in people who had exposure to a wildlife market in Hubei’s provincial capital Wuhan, where bats, snakes, civets and other animals were sold.
“There has been a growing concern among people over the consumption of wild animals and the hidden dangers it brings to public health security since the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak,” said Zhang Tiewei, a spokesman for the top legislature’s Legislative Affairs Commission.
The decision, made by the National People’s Congress, stipulates the illegal consumption and trade of wildlife will be “severely punished” as will be hunting, trading or transporting wild animals for the purpose of consumption.
Car manufacturing companies like the Fiat Chrysler have halted the production of new cars due to non-availability of spare parts
The use of wild animals for non-edible purposes, including scientific research, medical use and display, will be subject to strict examination, approval and quarantine inspection.
Prior to the announcement, traders legally selling donkey, dog, deer, crocodile and other meat told Reuters planned to get back to business as soon as the markets reopen.
Many academics, environmentalists and residents in China have joined international conservation groups in calling for a permanent ban.
Read more: Coronavirus is transforming into global pandemic
Bad news also reached Iran where 3 more people have died since the COVID-19 outbreak. People protested heavily in Talesh province of Iran due to inaction from the Govt authorities to adopt preventive measures against the virus. Police used tear gas and water cannons to disperse the protesting rallies.
According to state news agency IRNA, so far 14 deaths have occurred from the killer virus in Iran and infected a total of 49 people.
What happens next can only be predicted based on how successfully the virus can be contained.