WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Thom Tillis (R-NC), John Cornyn (R-TX), Cory Booker (D-NJ), and Tom Carper (D-DE) reintroduced their Preventing Future Pandemics Act, a bipartisan bill that would direct the State Department to work with international partners to shut down commercial wildlife markets to stop the associated wildlife trade, end the import, export, and sale of live wildlife for human consumption in the United States, and phase out demand for wildlife as a food source. 

“It is critical we preempt any future pandemics threatening our shores so as never to repeat the last 12 months,” said Senator Tillis. “This is an international security issue, and other nations must cooperate and comply with U.S. health and safety standards as we continue to trade goods, including animals for food or medicine. I am proud to work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to ensure the United States works with international leaders to stop irresponsible practices from harming our great nation.”

The Preventing Future Pandemics Act:

• Directs the Secretary of HHS to enlist the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine to conduct a study to evaluate the impact of physical proximity and consumption of wildlife (as food or medicine) on the emergence and transmission of viral and other microbial pathogens.  The study would also evaluate the conditions at live wildlife markets that lead to transmission of zoonotic diseases.

• Galvanizes the international community to address the health dangers posed by live wildlife markets and associated wildlife trafficking by issuing a Sense of Congress regarding the role of international organizations in addressing emerging disease threats.  It also sets U.S. policy to facilitate international cooperation to disrupt and ultimately end the commercial wildlife trade associated with live wildlife markets; builds international coalitions to support policy goals; authorizes sanctions on entities that license or engage in live wildlife markets and associated wildlife trafficking; and authorizes $300 million for USAID to carry out international programs in this regard annually until 2030.  

• Prohibits the import, export, and sale of certain live wild animals for human consumption (i.e., food or medicine), except where consumption is incidental to lawful hunting activity.  The provision applies to live mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians, but excludes ruminants.

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