Maximum ambition is the watchword of the European Parliament’s Environment Committee to curb the criminal trade in endangered species at international level and for the EU to set an example.
In a report adopted on 8 September (58 votes in favour, 1 vote against and 6 abstentions), the committee adopted its position on the EU’s strategic objectives for the 19th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES COP19, Panama, 14-25 November) (see EUROPE 12971/7).
Concerned about the growth of the exotic pet market and the range of species involved, MEPs believe that the aim should be not just to reduce the global illegal trade, but to eliminate it altogether by 2025, in favour of a sustainable and legal trade.
They also call for better implementation and funding of CITES by all parties.
MEPs stress the importance of a precautionary approach to prevent zoonoses and protect human and animal health.
At the EU level, they recommend reviewing and extending existing wildlife trade legislation to make it illegal to import, export, sell, acquire or purchase wild animals or plants that are taken, possessed, transported or sold in violation of the law of the country of origin or transit.
They call for dissuasive penalties for violations and urgent measures to ban the import of hunting trophies coming from CITES-listed species. MEPs also want an EU-wide, science-based positive list of animals allowed as pets, without harming European wildlife and biodiversity.
For the revision of the 2016 action plan against wildlife trafficking, they call for adequate funding, clear targets, ‘a monitoring mechanism’, and for the EU to tackle online and offline trade.
The report will be voted by the European Parliament in October. (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)