China bans wild animal trade until viral outbreak eases

China ordered a temporary ban on the trade in wild animals as the country struggles to contain a deadly virus believed to have been spawned in a market that sold wild animals as food.

Raising, transporting or selling all wild animal species is forbidden "from the date of the announcement until the national epidemic situation is over," said a government directive. (READ: ‘Novel coronavirus’ or 2019 nCoV: What we know so far)

The ban was issued by the Ministry of Agriculture, the State Administration for Market Regulation, and the National Forestry and Grassland Administration.

China has launched previous crackdowns on the wildlife trade, including after SARS, but conservationists say the trade typically resumes over time. – Rappler.com