NGOs on Wildlife Calls on Vietnam Gov’t to Shut Illegal Wildlife Markets

As many as ten local and international non-governmental organizations on wildlife on February 16 co-sent a letter of measures against the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in Vietnam to Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, in which they recommended the government identify and close illegal wildlife markets, local media reported. Those organizations listed six more articles that need to be undertaken:

(i) identify and enforce a ban on restaurants illegally trading wildlife animals,
(ii) issue mandatory regulations to all online e-commerce, social media, and online newswire platforms to track and eliminate all transactions and advertisements of illegal wildlife products,
(iii) bring in strict regulations and procedures to manage effectively farming activities for the economic purpose,
(iv) reforming judicial procedures to improve the effectiveness of deterrence and prevention in the handling of wildlife crime,
(v) foster public awareness about the risks of wildlife consumption to public security and health,
(vi) ensure cooperation among ministries, agencies in addressing those mentioned- above actions.

Those organizations are committed to backing the implementation of these initiatives for the national socio-economic security and biodiversity conservation, said the letter. (Nhan Dan, Vietnam Finance, rfa, Lao Dong)