Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what inter-country policy negotiations have taken place in advance of the November G20 meeting on tackling the root causes of the covid-19 pandemic; and if he will use that meeting to promote the benefits of a global ban on the trade of non-essential wildlife and wildlife products to help prevent a future zoonotic pandemic.

The COVID-19 pandemic has provided us with a stark reminder of what happens when our relationship with nature breaks down. We know that ecological damage, the illegal wildlife trade and consequent increased human-wildlife interactions increases the risk of zoonosis. As such, the UK is committed to supporting calls for countries to agree, apply and enforce strong controls and the highest standards of biosecurity to minimise the risk of disease transmission, including the prohibition of certain species or practices where appropriate.

The UK has actively participated in discussions as part of this year's G20 and will continue to be at the forefront of the debate on how we can tackle the key drivers of zoonotic disease emergence both at the G20, and other international forums. The UK is committed to the adoption of ambitious goals and targets to address global biodiversity loss at CBD COP-15.

In addition, at UNGA in September the UK signed the Leaders’ Pledge for Nature. This pledge includes commitments to tackle the illegal wildlife trade and integrate a One Health approach into all relevant policies. Nature is a key theme for the UK-hosted COP26 in November 2021 in Glasgow.