In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the government of China issued a complete ban on eating wild animals, with immediate effect. However, a serious public health issue remains because the ban does not extend to species classified as “livestock” under China’s Animal Husbandry Resource List, including animals bred for meat, fur, or other derivatives, such as fox, mink, raccoon dog, deer, rabbit, and poultry. Some of these species have already been implicated in the transmission of coronavirus to humans.
Born Free USA sent a letter to Ambassador Cui Tiankai, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China in the United States of America, urging the government of China to expand the ban to all wild animals, including those used for non-food purposes.