NCEL Media Advisory: Legislators from Five States Pursue Policies to Prevent Future Pandemics Caused By Wildlife Diseases

ADVISORY: State Senator Jesse Salomon (D-Shoreline) will be participating in a media event today at 10 a.m. that will call attention to the increase in wildlife trafficking and its effects spreading of infectious diseases. Below is a media advisory from the event host, the National Caucus of Environmental Legislators.

Washington, D.C. — One year into COVID-19, five states are working on legislation to prevent future pandemics. Currently, 75% of emerging infectious diseases, such as COVID-19, originate in animals. These diseases have drastically increased in recent decades due to human activity such as deforestation, wildlife trafficking, and climate change. In order to prevent the next global pandemic, states know they have vital roles to play in ensuring better disease tracking and heightened regulation of the animal trade. These states are working together to share policy ideas, strategies, and lessons learned.

What: State legislators from five states are discussing their efforts to implement policies to better protect against the emergence of infectious wildlife diseases. The National Caucus of Environmental Legislators (NCEL) will provide an overview of environmental impacts of wildlife diseases and the current legislative landscape.

When: March 31, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. PST

Where: Zoom (RSVP details below) and Facebook Live.

https://www.facebook.com/events/266918594904413/

Who: Hosted by NCEL with state legislators from California, New Hampshire, New York, Oregon, and Washington

Why: While the rate of infectious diseases originating in wildlife is an intensifying trend, there is not a singular solution to curbing their spread. By convening and working together on policy approaches, state legislators can learn from one another on how to better track and prevent wildlife diseases and raise awareness about the urgent need to act. Through this unified effort, legislators are strengthening our nation’s ability to preserve public health.

Please RSVP by emailing Taylor Anderson, NCEL Communications Manager, tanderson@ncel.net.

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