Principles of Prohibition of Nutritional Consumption and Trade of Wild Animals under International Law: The Transmission of the Covid-19 Virus from Animals to Humans

As the reports of World Health Organization have proved so far, source of Covid-19 is the zoonotic virus which has been transmitted to human. Consumption of wild animals by humans as a source of nutrition is the main reason of emergence of these deadly diseases which has not only threatened the safety of millions but unfortunately has also put an end to lives of hundreds of thousands. This study through descriptive-analytical method tries to find the possible bases for prohibiting the production, consumption or trade of wild animals for nutritional purposes in international law. For this purpose and by legal arguments, it is explained that firstly; the right to food doesn’t ban these activities. Secondly, obligations of States on prevention of disasters oblige them to prohibit the production, consumption and their trade for nutritional purposes. In addition, in case of not finding an explicit basis for prohibiting these acts, States which don’t comply fully with their obligations in this regard will be presumed internationally liable. There is a lack of an obligation for States to prohibit these activities in order to preserve the biological diversity. Therefore, the conclusion of an international treaty is recommended for putting an end to the current trend.