An investigation by the Daily Mirror has revealed that Border Agency staff seized more than 2,500 pounds of wild animal meat at UK airports in 2018 and 2019, leading to fears of future pandemics in the country.
Home Office data shows that this figure is on the rise, up from the 2,086 pounds of bushmeat smuggled into the country in 2016 and 2017, and more than double the amount confiscated in 2014 and 2015.
The illegal bushmeat trade is certainly detrimental to wildlife populations but can also put human health at risk, with experts cautioning that this horrific business could lead to the spread of zoonotic diseases, like the coronavirus, in the future.
“While this global pandemic started in Wuhan, it is just as possible for the next one to start in London or Washington,” said Dr. Ben Garrod, Professor of Evolutionary Biology and Science Engagement at the University of East Anglia. “Currently, animal meat and body parts are being illegally transported all around the world. Airlines and border agencies are great at stopping people, drugs and weapons from being smuggled. But here we are with something more fundamentally dangerous than any act of terrorism or natural disaster, yet it is allowed to go largely unchecked.”
“Until those transporting products of animal origins internationally are stopped, we are going to see primates, pangolins and other exotic, endangered animals coming into the UK, Europe, U.S. and Asia,” Garrod added. “Unless that stops, we are going to see more epidemics and more species in decline.”
Garrod is advocating that meat imported into the UK is DNA tested to ensure it is safe for human consumption. This isn’t, however, only about the illegal meat trade. Our current food system is unsustainable and the meat and dairy industries are contributing to environmental, animal and human health crises. Meat is bad for us, them and the planet.
Adopting a plant-based diet will help thwart future disease outbreaks and stop the inhumane treatment of animals, leading to a happier and healthier world for everyone.
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The depraved CRUELTY to Animals is unconscionably obscene and MUST NEVER be accepted — the fact that the BUSHMEAT industry even exists, boggles the mind — HOW can we allow such torturous abuse to Animals? — SHAME ON ALL who have the power to STOP this horror and do nothing — GO VEGAN! — GO VEGAN! — GO VEGAN!
The MAIN problem here is the “Insufficient Punishment’ given to these perpetrators. It’s just mind boggling to realize that these illegal Bushmeat smugglers doesn’t get the necessary punishment for their criminal activities. WHY & HOW do they get away from these so called Judges?
These type of criminals must be jailed & fined heftily. If the punishment is simply a slap on their wrists, then they will do the same again in no time. Looks like the LAWS are a Joke. and the Judges are Jokes too.
Cruelty needs to STOP!
My mind CANNOT wrap itself around this horrific cruelty to Animals — this is so BEYOND WRONG & HATEFUL, not to mention NEEDLESS — I have no more words — we MUST SHUT DOWN the brutal, unconscionable, sadistic depraved BUSHMEAT industry — GO VEGAN — GO VEGAN.
Please STOP this insane Suffering and Cruelty NOW and Forever ~
Please STOP this insane Suffering and Cruelty NOW and Forever ~
What is wrong with these creatures who insist on illegally killing off exotic wildlife? Isn’t it enough that this horrible and deadly virus is still very much active and is said to have been started because of idiots coming in contact with certain exotic animals? I am so sick of these murderous misfits and I hope they get the karma they so deserve; slow and extremely painful. These animals just want to be left alone to exist in as peaceful surroundings as they can find. You, Neanderthals, go back to your caves and don’t tread on the modern and sophisticated part of society anymore. Your habits are disgusting and your practices are evil and demonic.
Prosecute every facet of this illegal trade: hunters and all who supply and assist them; shippers; meat sellers; financial institutions; consumers; etc.
Time we all stopped eating meat now to help the poor animals, save the planet and to be healthy humans.
This should have been stopped years ago. Let the UK eat it and kill themselves. Poor animals have suffered enough.
Anyone who eats bushmeat deserves whatever their stomach gives them.
STOP eating exotic meat. It is NOT healthy.
Stop the use of wildlife meat being sold!
moche
Stoppen , es sind viel zu viel da drin !!!
Stoppt das brutale Töten der Tiere. An ihnen liegt es nicht, das wir unter dem Coronavirus leiden müssen.
Stoppt Yulin Feste !!!!
Lasst diese Windhunde leben , sucht euch rinem neuen Sport ohne Tiete. Es sind alles fühöende Wesen wie wir Menschen. Es sind die besseren Menschen, nur ohne Stimme, deshalb übernehmen wir das. Stoppt das brutale Töten der Tiere. Sie haben die gleichen Rechte wie wir Menschen um mit uns zu leben. Lieber Kaszration , als noch zu vermehren. Es ist dort alles unhygänisch, das ist nur ne Zeit das wieder Krankheiten entstehen. STOPPEN !!!
Stop this crazy ess!!!
Some say Nature is fighting back. Some say The Wrath of God. I say Good riddance and about time the human race is wiped out the sooner the better with the exception of those with a Nuclear Heart that generates warmth, love, care, dedication to all animals who respect the wonders of Nature or what is left of it.
This is just the tip of the iceberg with more to follow. What’s wrong with being a Vegepatch. For those who depend on breathing and eating money why not butcher and cook babies alive in sweet sour sauce. Yummy—–Mummy where are you?
So world leaders including President Donald Duck Trump, “Do not destroy what you create: NATURE-PLANET EARTH” before we all end up being fully pledged PLASTIC SPASTICS eating and breathing money in the name of GOD alias GREED..
Dog Bless. [email protected] BRILLIANTAIRE-THE SILENT CHRISTIAN-Woof-Meow-Squeak.
People we need to stop trafficking in wildlife.
APPALLING NEWS. I AM EXTREMELY SURPRISED AND DISAPPOINTED BY THIS. THE UK NEEDS TO CONTRIBUTE TO HELP END THIS WORLD WIDE, AFTER THEIR PARTICIPATION IN THE POTENTIAL PROMOTING DISEASE WITHOUT A CONSCIENCE.
APPALLING NEWS. I AM EXTREMELY SURPRISED AND DISAPPOINTED BY THIS. THE UK NEEDS TO CONTRIBUTE TO HELP END THIS WORLD WIDE, AFTER THEIR PARTICIPATION IN THE POTENTIAL PROMOTING DISEASE WITHOUT A CONSCIENCE.
Unbelievable that they are decimating the wild animals so that they very soon will no longer exist.
Not enough food in the UK? Hard to believe.
Selfish that’s all…and stupid.
And there we are, fighting this virus by getting more supplies and trying to find a vaccine, while letting the source of the virus going unchecked throughout the world. At the end, greed, ignorance and corruption will kill us all.
People just don’t learn- stupid is everywhere.
Well said, Barbara.
Are you fucking daft
Are you fucking daft
ARE THESE POEPLE CRAZY , OR JUST PAIN STUPID
WE HAVE TO STOP EATING MEAT,,, OR THE EARTHS ECO SYSTEMS WILL COLLAPSE TAKING US WITH IT