NYC Gazette

A new report from NYU’s Center for Environmental and Animal Protection and the Brooks McCormick Jr. Animal Law & Policy Program at Harvard Law School warns of high-risk human-animal interactions at animal markets worldwide. It documents threats to global health security posed by these markets and the industries that supply them, including wildlife trade, livestock production, and wildlife farming.

The report analyzes what policymakers and governments are doing to manage these zoonotic threats and exposes vulnerabilities in regulation that leave the public exposed.

The report, titled "Animal Markets and Zoonotic Disease Risk: A Global Synthesis of a 15 Country Study," offers an in-depth analysis of potential risks posed by animal markets and their supply chains across 15 countries on six continents. Researched by teams of experts, it incorporates scientific findings, field observations, data, interviews, regulatory analysis, and other research to describe zoonotic risks.

“Our research found that zoonotic disease risk is not confined to any one region or type of market,” says Ann Linder, associate director of policy and research at the Animal Law & Policy Program at Harvard Law School. “This is a global problem that needs to be urgently addressed through better regulation.”

Dale Jamieson, professor of law, medical ethics, and bioethics at NYU adds: “High-risk human-animal interactions occur in every country we studied. These interactions drive the global threat of disease spillover. This research analyzes how those interactions occur and what can be done to prevent future outbreaks through better policy.”

The report brings forward new examples gathered from six continents to describe zoonotic risk pathways from a global perspective. It assesses risk from animal markets and their major sources such as wildlife trade, livestock production, and wildlife farming industries; analyzes regulatory shortcomings; addresses misinformation about zoonotic risks; demonstrates predictable patterns in disease outbreaks; argues for better regulation; but finds many nations ignoring these risks.

Key findings include:

- Animal industries drive significant zoonotic risk.

- Current regulations are inadequate.

- Regulators often lack basic information about many forms of animal industries.

- Zoonotic risks follow predictable patterns.

- Many outbreaks are preventable with better regulation.

- Policymakers often act indifferently towards zoonotic risks.

Policy recommendations include enhanced regulation of animal markets' supply chains; improved public health protections across relevant industries; policies promoting sustainable agricultural practices; focus on spillover prevention rather than post-outbreak response; increased international collaboration.

“This research provides a comprehensive view of zoonotic risks to inform policymakers on protecting the public,” says Linder. “Our hope is this critical information can guide interventions to reduce risk.”

For more information or access to the full report visit Harvard Animal Law & Policy Program website. The report was researched by Ann Linder (Harvard), Bonnie Nadzam (Harvard), Dale Jamieson (NYU), Kristen Stilt (Harvard), Valerie McCarthy (Harvard).

The Center for Environmental and Animal Protection at New York University focuses on addressing social issues intersecting environmental protection with animal welfare. The Brooks McCormick Jr. Animal Law & Policy Program at Harvard aims to advance animal law through scholarship and advocacy.

Alternate Media Contact:

Ann Linder

alinder@law.harvard.edu

(913) 424-2407