In response to the Covid-19 outbreak, the Chinese government has announced on Monday (Feb. 24) that there is an immediate ban in the consumption and trade of wild animals, reported Xinhua News Agency.

Ban takes immediate effect on Feb. 24, 2020

China's top legislature has adopted this decision in an effort to safeguard public health.

The adoption of the ban also aims to protect biodiversity and ensure ecological security of the nation.

Illegal consumption and trade of wildlife shall be severely punished, stipulates a decision adopted by China's legislature https://t.co/Ui8w9ydAUr pic.twitter.com/D7FlRhYDQg

— China Xinhua News (@XHNews) February 24, 2020

SCMP reported that China's wildlife trade and consumption industry is valued at 520 billion yuan (about S$103 billion) and employs over 14 million people.

Penalties will be more severe under this legislation

According to the new ban, enforcement includes shutting down illegal businesses that engage in the trade and consumption of wild animals, reported Xinhua.

Wild animals that have ecological, scientific and social value, or are bred in captivity, will be banned from being sold for consumption.

According to Xinhua, the new legislation stipulates that those who hunt, trade, transport or eat wildlife will be given harsher punishment as compared to existing laws and regulations.

In addition to the use of wild animals for consumption, the use of wildlife for medical use and display and for scientific research, will be subject to stricter regulations and inspections.

Following initial suspension of wildlife trade

This decision comes after an initial suspension of wildlife trade in January, following the Covid-19 outbreak.

The disease which has caused the deaths of about 2,700 people in China and spread globally was suspected to have originated in wildlife, reported Reuters.

Reuters quoted Zhang Tiewei, a spokesman for the top legislature's Legislative Affairs Commission, who said:

"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."

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Photos via Natural Capital Coalition/Twitter