Brussels, 06/02/2015 (Agence Europe) - Import into the European Union of hunting trophies of wild animal species threatened with extinction will henceforth be monitored to ensure that the origin of the trophy is legal and the trophies come from sustainable hunting.
The European Commission regulation that seeks to tackle illegal and unsustainable practices threatening African lion, polar bear, African elephant, Southern white rhinoceros, hippopotamus and argali sheep came into effect on Thursday 5 February. Under the terms of the regulation, a requirement will be introduced for an import permit guaranteeing that the origin of the trophy is legal and sustainable. The permit will only be delivered once the EU is convinced that the import meets the criteria. Member state authorities will not be able to issue a permit until they have received sufficient information on the legality of the transaction from the exporting or re-exporting country.
The regulation also introduces new measures to facilitate travel for musicians using instruments that contain items derived from species protected under the CITES Convention and European Regulation 338/97 on the protection of species of wild flora and fauna by regulating trade therein. The new measures create a specific certificate which can be used for multiple cross-border movements and is valid for three years, replacing the CITES permits required each time a border is crossed.
The new rules seek to tackle trafficking of wildlife threatened with extinction, an extremely lucrative international trade in which organised crime is becoming increasingly involved. The EU is one of the main markets and transit points for the trafficking of products. Ivory, rhinoceros horn, tiger products, tropical wood and sharks' fins are among the products from protected species to be found on the black market. (AN)