The future of wet markets could be in doubt as the world deals with the global coronavirus pandemic, but some facilities have already re-opened in China.
China has reopened some of its 'wet markets' despite the live animal markets being the suspected origin of the coronavirus pandemic, raising concerns about public health and animal welfare.
Nicola Beynon from animal rights group Society International said the markets have not only existed in Asia, but also in Africa and South America. "We moved to what is referred to as 'box meat trade', where people buy animals already slaughtered and processed and just cook the meat. But of course, in a lot of countries, that's not the case. There is still the practice of slaughtering animals, perhaps at the time they are being purchased, or taking animals home." The 2003 outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, known as SARS, was thought to have emerged from wet markets in China's Guangdong province.
Research published in the Royal Society Proceedings B journal shows infectious diseases from wildlife have emerged at an increased pace in the past century. Several petitions - addressed to US President Donald Trump and the United Nations - have been pushing for a ban on wet markets since the coronavirus outbreak, and have attracted thousands of signatures.
A dog in Hong Kong became infected with coronavirus and a tiger in New York has also tested positive. But the WHO said there was no evidence to indicate the disease can be caught from a pet. "We can clearly see the great risks to the health and wellbeing of the rest of the world as a result of these types of places and facilities," he said."Now, I'm not making any criticisms of anyone, I'm not making any cultural references or anything like that."
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