A Wall Street Journal article reports that China is giving tax incentives to exporting wild animals while banning their sale and use within China.

Scientists believe that the source of the COVID-19 pandemic was a wild animal market in Wuhan, China.

China temporarily banned the sale and import of wild animals to improve public health.

The Journal cited a Chinese government document that described tax incentives for wild animals, raising concerns about animals’ connection to the coronavirus pandemic and other possible future pandemics.

Congressional Research Service found that incentivizing the sale of animals could increase the risk of future infections.

Wild animal exports from the country are small relative to its other exports, experts worry the exports could pose a health risk. TheUnited States imported $1 million animal product pharmaceuticals from China between January and February 2020.

Scientists believe that the spread of COVID-19, or coronavirus, started at an exotic animal market in Wuhan, China.

You can help stop the incidence of viruses like these by signing this petition to ban the wildlife trade.

This article was first published by OneGreenPlanet on 15 April 2020. Lead Image Source : Mike Gordon/ Shutterstock.com

What you can do

Support ‘Fighting for Wildlife’ by donating as little as $1 – It only takes a minute. Thank you.