Sens. Cramer and Hoeven, colleagues urges China to close all wet markets

 

U.S. Senators Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) and Chris Coons (D-Delaware) today sent a letter to Chinese Ambassador to the United States Cui Tiankai urging the closure of all operating wet markets in China.

“We write to urgently request that China immediately close all operating wet markets that have a potential to expose humans to health risks through the introduction of zoonotic disease into the human population,” wrote the Senators. “It is well documented that wet markets in China have been the source of a number of worldwide health problems, and their operation should cease immediately so as to protect the Chinese people and the international community from additional health risks.”

“Therefore we are urging China to shut down all wet markets that allow for interactions between humans and wild animals that pose public health risks,” the lawmakers concluded. “We understand and respect that wet markets are an important component to Chinese society and way of life, but we believe the current moment, which has disrupted everyday life around the world, calls for extreme precautions.”

The following Senators also signed the letter: Kevin Cramer, Chris Van Hollen, Thom Tillis, Martha McSally, Cindy Hyde-Smith, Marsha Blackburn, John Hoeven, Mitt Romney, and Rick Scott.