Halt To The Sale Of Live Wild Mammals In Food Markets:
The World Health Organization, the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) have called for a halt to the sale of live wild mammals in food markets to prevent the emergence of new diseases such as COVID-19.
- Because traditional markets play a central role in providing food and livelihoods for large populations, banning the sale of live wild mammals could protect the health of market workers and customers alike.
- Animals, particularly wild animals, are the source of more than 70% of all emerging infectious diseases in humans, many of which are caused by novel viruses. Wild mammals, in particular, pose a risk for the emergence of new diseases.
About the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE):
- The need to fight animal diseases at the global level led to the creation of the Office International des Epizooties through the international Agreement signed on January 25th, 1924.
- In May 2003 the Office became the World Organisation for Animal Health but kept its historical acronym OIE.
- The OIE is the intergovernmental organization responsible for improving animal health worldwide.
- It is recognized as a reference organization by the World Trade Organization (WTO).
- The organization is placed under the authority and control of a World Assembly of Delegates consisting of Delegates designated by the Governments of all Member Countries.
- The main objective of the OIE is to control epizootic diseases and thus to prevent their spread
