The Prime Minister of Vietnam, Nguyen Xuan Phuc, issued a directive last Thursday, July 23, to stop the trade and import of dead or live animals in the country.

This includes the trade in their eggs, larvae, organs, body parts and other products, reported VN Express.

Exceptions to this ban include the import of seafood for consumption and feed production, and the use of wild animal products for medicine.

Exceptions also include cases that are approved by the prime minister.

Markets that illegally trade wild animals to be abolished

According to the issued directive, markets and places that illegally trade wild animals will be abolished, reported VN Express.

There will also be harsher punishment for illegal activities involving wild animals, such as hunting, capturing, trading, transporting, killing, consuming or advertising of such products.

For wild animals that are listed on the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), they will be exported back to their country of origin.

The directive aims to address public health issues with wildlife trade

Earlier this year, conservation organisations, such as World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), wrote an open letter to the Prime Minister of Vietnam to stop wildlife trade in the country to address public health concerns.

According to VN Express, the directive aims to address various issues, such as extinction of animals species, disruption of balance in ecological systems, concerns over public health and the country's global reputation.

The BBC and Guardian reported the measures as being part of efforts to reduce the risk of future pandemics, like Covid-19.

Conservation groups have applauded the directive and have praised the Vietnamese government on their efforts.

According to WildAid's website, an organisation that aims to reduce global consumption of wildlife products, their Chief Program Officer John Baker praised the strong leadership on this immediate ban on wildlife products, saying Vietnam’s government has shown strong leadership with this comprehensive action.

He said:

“These actions will help save many species while also protecting global health. We will work with our partners to help make this a success.”

He added that this is a great example to other members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on how to address the threat of the wildlife trade to economic security and public health.

Hoang Thi Minh Hong, Director of CHANGE and WildAid Vietnam Representative said that "this is the first time the government has mobilized dozens of ministries and agencies to actively address the wildlife trade problem that has had devastating impacts and caused concern for many years, most recently when the Covid-19 pandemic has once again provided evidence of wildlife-to-human infectious disease transmission".

She added:

“The issuance of this directive shows the resolution and ability of the Government of Vietnam—a world-recognized country in this epidemic with the declaration of ‘no one is left behind’—as it continues to demonstrate its commitment to contributing to the global effort to prevent another pandemic.”

Currently, offenders who illegally capture, and trade protected species in the country face up to 15 years in prison and fines of up to V$15 billion (S$892,561.50).

Top image via Jo-Anne McArthur/We Animals