Ms Symonds signed a petition today throwing her support behind the move to end the trade of animals for consumption to “prevent future pandemics”.
She wrote on Twitter: “Have signed this petition calling for an end to the global wildlife trade once and for all. Please do consider doing the same.
“This crisis gives us the chance to start doing things better. Let this be one of those things.”
It is believed the deadly outbreak of coronavirus was started at a wet market in Wuhan, where live and dead animals are sold for people to eat.
The petition, which has more than 24,000 signatures said “the occurrence of major outbreaks is increasing in frequency, so urgent action to address this problem is needed”.
It only asks for an end to the sale of “terrestrial” animals – or those that live on land, so it would not close fish markets.
It calls on governments around the world to recognise that “the urgency to prevent future pandemics, warrants the permanent end to the commercial trade and sale in markets of terrestrial wild animals (particularly bird and mammals) for consumption”.
It continues to call for recognition of “the global security implications of zoonotic (animal) disease outbreaks.”
It adds: “The commercial trade in terrestrial wild animals for consumption creates enhanced conditions for the evolution of novel zoonotic pathogens through practices that combine stressed, injured, and sick animals from many different places into one area.”
The petition demands new laws to be brought in across the world to end the sale of wild animals for consumption and for agencies responsible for enforcing the ban to be given extra powers.
Earlier this month, more than 200 wildlife charities issued a call to end the wet markets which are believed to have caused the outbreak of coronavirus in Wuhan.
Despite their links with the deadly virus, the World Health Organisation has given the green light for Wuhan’s wet markets to reopen.
Other pandemics, including SARS and Ebola, have also been linked to viruses spreading from animals to people.
Ms Symonds is a well-known animal welfare activist – the dog she shares with the PM, Dilyn, was adopted from a shelter.
The petition also calls for the acknowledgment of the animal welfare concerns associated with wet markets, saying “massive commercial trade in terrestrial wild animals for consumption across the world threatens the survival of thousands of species”
The petition said: “The current scale and scope of commercial trade in wild animals is not only threatening the diversity of life, but also the health of societies and individual humans.
“It is time for a new paradigm.”
