Bipartisan Legislation Aims to Prevent Future Zoonotic Disease Outbreaks

Today, U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-DE) and Lindsey Graham (R-SC) introduced the Global Wildlife Health and Pandemic Prevention Act. World Wildlife Fund (WWF) issued the following statement in response from Carter Roberts, President and CEO:

“Like most emerging diseases, COVID-19 originated in wildlife, revealing the profound connections between nature and human health. To prevent the next pandemic, we need to close markets that sell high-risk wildlife and reduce human consumption of these species. We also need to halt the degradation or destruction of our remaining wild places while ensuring food security for vulnerable communities. This legislation provides the U.S. government with important tools, direction, and resources to accomplish those goals. We thank Senators Coons and Graham for their leadership in this important moment.”