07/03/2016 (Agence Europe) - 14 agreements concluded to fight trafficking of wild species. On Friday 4 March, EU Environment Ministers welcomed the EU action plan to help improve the fight against the trafficking of wild species, which the European Commissioner For the Environment, Karmenu Vella had presented to them (see EUROPE 11500). On Thursday, during the “Save Wildlife Act Now or Game over” conference in The Hague organised by the Dutch Presidency, the Commissioner called on all the stakeholders attending to make a commitment to the collective struggle against poachers and the trafficking of animals. This message was received loud and clear. Representatives from nearly 40 countries, NGOs and international organisations concluded 14 agreements on the eradication of poaching and the trafficking of wild fauna and flora. A consensus was reached on implementing new technologies, fighting corruption and economic incentives for protecting wild animals, explained Martijn van Dam, the Dutch secretary of state for economic affairs, at the end of the conference. (AN)