Pandemic risks and the destruction of nature

That this House notes the warnings of increased risk of pandemics from the destruction of nature, in particularly by four world-leading scientists from the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) as published on 27 April 2020; further notes their diagnosis that rampant deforestation, uncontrolled expansion of intensive farming, mining, infrastructure and global air travel, and exploitation of wild species have created a perfect storm for the spillover of diseases from wildlife to people; accepts the conclusion that recent pandemics are a direct consequence of human activity – particularly global financial and economic systems based on a limited paradigm of economic growth; supports the scientists’ proposals for government action to reduce the risks of future outbreaks and pandemics; therefore urges Ministers to follow the science by adopting the recommendations to strengthen environmental regulations, urgently and fundamentally transform industries including aviation and intensive agriculture, and properly fund health systems on the frontlines of pandemic risk; and calls on the Government adopt a One Health approach at all levels of decision-making, recognising the complex interconnections between the health of people, animals, plants and our shared environment; and further calls on the Government to embark on a fundamental system-wide reorganisation to end business as usual and emerge from the crisis stronger and more resilient by protecting the natural world of which humans are a part.