A BAN ON WILD LIFE TRADING? Oxford University Experts say it is not a good idea.

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In an aritcle from The  Conversation, https://theconversation.com/coronavirus-why-a-blanket-ban-on-wildlife-tr... , a group of experts from Oxford Martin School argue that a global ban won't be effective. They call for a better global trade system.

Here some of the points:

-Bans do not work. Prohibition often does not work and this will move the trade of wild animals more and more in the illegal black market

-We should also consider what the authors call "wildlife economies" that only in China involve 14 million people and are worthy than US$74 billion annually.

-The better approach is a smart regulation system at global level

 

The authors conclude with:

"A more appropriate response would be improving regulation of wildlife markets, especially those involving live animals. This should include full consideration of public health and animal welfare concerns to ensure there is low risk of future animal-to-human disease outbreaks.
This could be achieved by focusing on highest-risk species and improving conditions along supply chains and in markets, such as health and safety and sanitation, and regular animal health checks. These practices could draw on existing standards that apply to regulations for transporting live animals by air.
Like bans, any new or revised regulations would require enforcement. But approaches such as “smart regulation” could be used to aid the process. This could ensure that new measures are culturally appropriate and incentivise local people, traders, buyers and law enforcement agencies to comply. Devising regulations in this way would mean they are more likely to be effective, rather than undermined which a blanket ban would do.
Rushing to indiscriminately ban all wildlife trade in response to COVID-19 would not eradicate the risk of animal-to-human disease outbreaks. It could also have a severe impact on livelihoods and biodiversity. Improved regulations that focus on health, if implemented well, would avoid these effects while ensuring a low risk of future disease outbreaks."

About the Authors:

https://www.oxfordmartin.ox.ac.uk/blog/coronavirus-why-a-blanket-ban-on-...

Michael ‘t Sas-Rolfes
Research Associate

With a background that spans thirty years of training, research and practical experience in both commerce and conservation, Michael has developed specialist expertise in understanding the complexities of both legal and illegal markets for wildlife pr...

Portrait of Dr Amy  Hinsley

Dr Amy Hinsley
Postdoctoral Research Fellow

Amy’s research uses interdisciplinary methods to understand the complex interactions between the legal and illegal markets for bear bile in China, particularly how consumer behavior and demand influence these markets. Before joining Oxford in 2017 s...

Portrait of Dr Dan Challender

Dr Dan Challender
Postdoctoral Research Fellow

Dan Challender is an interdisciplinary conservation scientist interested in wildlife trade and use, its sustainability, governance and economics, including human behaviour, and has a particular interest in pangolins and their conservation. He complet...

Portrait of Dr Diogo Verissimo

Dr Diogo Verissimo
Postdoctoral Research Fellow

Diogo Veríssimo, is a behaviour change specialist with 15 years of experience in the fields of social marketing and community-based conservation. Diogo is a global leader in the design and evaluation of interventions to change environmentally relevan...

 

Position: Co -Founder of ENGAGE,a new social venture for the promotion of volunteerism and service and Ideator of Sharing4Good

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