In Light of COVID-19, China Institutes a Ban Wild Animal Consumption that has Skeptics Criticizing Efficacy

On February 24, 2020, China announced a sweeping controversial national ban on wild animal consumption. However, critics of the “Comprehensively Prohibiting the Illegal Trade of Wild Animals, Eliminating the Bad Habits of Wild Animal Consumption, and Protecting the Health and Safety of the People Decision” point out that the ban still leaves room for wildlife trading. Most notable is the ban’s allowance for wildlife trading within the realms of biomedical research and commercial fur farms, which complicates law enforcement efforts.