Press Release

Animal Wellness Lauds House Members for Introducing Resolution Calling for Closure of “Wet Markets” Where COVID-19 Pathogen Appeared

Washington, D.C. — Animal Wellness Action today applauded U.S. Rep. Steve Chabot, R-Ohio, for introducing a resolution in the U.S. House of Representatives calling on all nations to permanently close “live wildlife markets.” In addition, Reps. Joe Wilson, R-S.C., Ted Yoho, R-Fla., Scott Perry, R-Pa., Guy Reschenthaler, R-Pa., Michael Guest, R-Miss., and Steve Watkins, R-Kans. Also joined in cosponsoring the resolution that was introduced last night. 

Chabot’s resolution comes on the heels of a letter more than 60 Members of Congress, led in the Senate by  U.S. Sens. Cory Booker, D-N.J., and Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., sent to directors of the  World Health Organization, World Organisation for Animal Health, and the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization, noting that scientists “studying zoonotic diseases — diseases that jump between animals and humans — have pointed to the close proximity of shoppers, vendors, and both live and dead animals at wildlife markets in countries around the world as prime transmission locations for these pathogens.”

“U.S. citizens are sheltering at home, out of work or not at their work offices, or sick in bed or hospital beds because of a highly infectious and sometimes deadly virus launched from a wet market in China,” said Wayne Pacelle, president of Animal Wellness Action. “The federal lawmakers who acted yesterday know action on a global scale is required to prevent a recurrence of the next microbiological catastrophe.  Not since World War II has there been a world event of this consequence.”

“An unsanitary live wildlife market in Wuhan, China, launched the Coronavirus pandemic,” said Rep. Steve Chabot, R-Ohio. “That is why I introduced the Live Wildlife Market Resolution to call attention to the threats posed by these markets and by animal-to-human disease transmission to the health of all nations. The legislation also shines a light on the gross inhumanity animals suffer at these markets. Clarifying these links will help us to better understand and prevent future pandemics together. Further, facts matter, and the CCP’s deliberate obfuscation of the origin of COVID-19 matters. We cannot meaningfully call for the closure of live wildlife markets unless we are first willing to fight through the wall of CCP disinformation to affirm the basic fact that such a market (in addition to CCP incompetence) launched the Coronavirus pandemic. Unfortunately, the CCP’s information warfare cannot be separated from this public health and animal welfare crisis.”

The resolution quotes Dr. Anthony Fauci, the Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, who said proper authorities ”should shut down those things right away.” 

Click here to see the resolution.

“We are tremendously grateful for Congressman Chabot’s diligent work in sounding the alarm about these live wildlife markets,” added Marty Irby, executive director of Animal Wellness Action

AWA’s staff has written a series of essays about existing and emerging threats from certain animal-use practices, including wet markets, cockfighting, factory farming, game farms, and FDA’s requirements for animal testing.

Animal Wellness Action is a Washington, D.C.-based 501(c)(4) whose mission is to help animals by promoting laws and regulations at federal, state and local levels that forbid cruelty to all animals. The group also works to enforce existing anti-cruelty and wildlife protection laws. Animal Wellness Action believes helping animals helps us all. Twitter: @AWAction_News

Center for a Humane Economy is a Washington, D.C.-based 501(c)(3) whose mission is to help animals by helping forge a more humane economic order. The first organization of its kind in the animal protection movement, the Center encourages businesses to honor their social responsibilities in a culture where consumers, investors, and other key stakeholders abhor cruelty and the degradation of the environment and embrace innovation as a means of eliminating both. The Center believes helping animals helps us all. Twitter: @TheHumaneCenter

Animal Wellness Foundation is a Los Angeles-based private charitable organization with a mission of helping animals by making veterinary care available to everyone with a pet, regardless of economic ability. We organize rescue efforts and medical services for dogs and cats in need and help homeless pets find a loving caregiver. We are advocates for getting veterinarians to the front lines of the animal welfare movement; promoting responsible pet ownership; and vaccinating animals against infectious diseases such as distemper. We also support policies that prevent animal cruelty and that alleviate suffering. We believe helping animals helps us all.