[wildtrade] 10 Critical Actions to Combat Vietnam’s Illegal Wildlife Trade

[ENV Communication]

Dear Sir/Madam,
Education for Nature Vietnam (ENV) has published *10 Critical Actions for
Combating Illegal Wildlife Trafficking 2020,
<https://env4wildlife.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/10-Critical-Actions-EN-September-9-2020.pdf>*
an
annual list of key interventions that ENV considers priorities in tackling
the wildlife trade in Vietnam.

The release of the list coincides with the issuance of a new directive by
the Prime Minister on July 23rd in response to the Covid-19 global
pandemic. The PM directive is aimed at mobilizing government agencies to
actively strengthen efforts to eliminate wildlife trade and reduce the
threat to human health and safety associated with trade and consumption of
wildlife.

[image: MS 10 Critical Actions (September 9, 2020) final-1.jpg]

At the top of the list is the need to initiate aggressive police
investigations that target the leadership of wildlife trafficking networks,
with the aim of arresting and prosecuting the leaders of these criminal
enterprises and dismantling their operations permanently.

In addition to taking down wildlife trafficking kingpins, other critical
interventions include strengthening deterrence to reduce crime, addressing
abuse within the commercial wildlife farming industry, eradicating
corruption within the criminal justice system, and putting an end to bear
farming.

“Vietnam has made substantial progress on all ten priorities in recent
years,” says Vu Thi Quyen, ENV’s Founder and Executive Director. “There are
positive developments on all fronts. Now, the task at hand is to maintain
momentum and continue aggressively down this path, to the point where
Vietnam is no longer a major consumer of wildlife, nor a trafficking hub
for the region.”

Quyen believes this goal is not only realistic, but achievable. “Look at
how the criminal justice system has applied the revised Penal Code,” says
Quyen. “Criminals are going to prison for their crimes, and among them are
the leaders of four major trafficking networks.”

“We have a lot to do ahead of us, and some major obstacles to overcome, but
we have already accomplished a great deal of progress.”

Tackling corruption within the criminal justice system remains one of the
most difficult obstacles to overcome in the battle to combat wildlife
trafficking in Vietnam. Whether corruption involves passage of goods
through ports or airports, issuance of permits to commercial farms, or
allowing criminals to escape capture, prosecution, or imprisonment,
corruption undermines the law, and in doing so, undermines the health of
society and effectiveness of government.

In addition to eliminating corruption, one of the new critical actions in
2020 reflects the need to address the serious human health and safety risks
posed by animal-borne viruses like Covid-19. While ENV strongly supports
current efforts to eliminate wildlife trade and consumption as called for
by the Prime Minister, ENV goes on to urge policy-makers, key ministries,
provincial governments, and other government agencies to share the
responsibility of increasing public awareness about the deadly effects of
wildlife trade and consumption, reinforcing national efforts to curb
consumer demand and reduce the risk of future outbreaks.

“We believe Vietnam is on many fronts a leader in Southeast Asia in efforts
to tackle the illegal wildlife trade, and we’re proud of the progress that
has been accomplished,” states Quyen. “Success is within our grasp if we
can remain focused and committed to addressing these ten critical actions
for Vietnam.”


Please find the media statement for 10 Critical Actions for Combating
Illegal Wildlife Trafficking 2020
<https://env4wildlife.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/10-Critical-Actions-EN-September-9-2020.pdf>
attached to this email.

---------------------------------------------------

*Communications Team*

*Education for Nature - Vietnam (ENV)*



*Address*: Block 17T5, 17th floor, Room 1701, Hoang Dao Thuy Street, Cau
Giay District, Hanoi, Vietnam

*Tel:* +844 6281 5424

*Email:* communication.env at gmail.com

*Website*: www.e <http://www.envietnam.org/>nv4wildlife.org

*Facebook*: https://www.facebook.com/EducationforNatureVietnam
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