17/07/2019 (Agence Europe) – In preparation for the COP 18 of the CITES Convention, which will begin on 16 August in Geneva, MEP Christophe Grudler (RE, France), supported by some 40 colleagues (from all groups except ID), sent a written question to the EU Council and the Commission to find out what position the EU will defend with regard to African elephants. What they want is full protection for all elephants on the continent through their inclusion in Appendix I in order to prevent any trade in ivory, as several States, including nine African countries, supported by some EU Member States, want. "For the time being, the EU's position on this issue is lukewarm", says Grudler. At present, only elephants from Central African countries are listed in Appendix I. The rest is listed in Appendix II (strong protection, but ivory trade allowed). (AN)