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Beyond banning wildlife trade: COVID-19, conservation and development
Dilys Roe1, Amy Dickman2, Richard Kock3
1International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED) and IUCN Sustainable Use and Livelihoods Specialist Group (SULi), United Kingdom.
World Development
|August 25, 2020
Summary
Banning all wildlife trade may harm vulnerable populations and conservation efforts. Addressing habitat destruction is key to preventing future pandemics and ensuring sustainable development.
Area of Science:
- Ecology
- Conservation Biology
- Public Health
Background:
- The COVID-19 pandemic has prompted calls to ban wildlife trade due to suspected zoonotic origins.
- While illegal and unsustainable wildlife trade poses risks, broad bans may have unintended negative consequences.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the multifaceted impacts of wildlife trade bans.
- To propose a more nuanced approach to wildlife trade policy that balances conservation, human rights, and sustainable development.
Main Methods:
- Literature review and policy analysis.
- Examination of socio-economic and ecological implications of wildlife trade regulations.
Main Results:
- Wildlife trade provides vital resources and food security for vulnerable populations, particularly in developing nations.
- Bans can drive trade underground, increase risks, and reduce conservation incentives for local communities.
- Focusing solely on wildlife trade overlooks habitat destruction and industrial agriculture as primary drivers of disease emergence.
Conclusions:
- A paradigm shift is needed in global food systems and conservation approaches, prioritizing local communities.
- Sustainable wildlife trade, when regulated, can support conservation and livelihoods.
- Addressing habitat destruction is crucial for preventing future pandemics.
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