What are the EU’s key strategic objectives for COP20 on the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), which is scheduled to take place in Uzbekistan at the end of 2025? What progress has been made in implementing the 2022–2027 action plan against wildlife trafficking? On Tuesday 13 May, MEPs on the Environment Committee decided to send these two questions to the European Commission and the Council of the EU.
The day before, MEPs had discussed the priorities to be defended, as part of a European Parliament resolution. Wildlife trafficking remains a key concern for parliamentarians. To combat this trafficking, they envisage strengthening the role of the EU and call on it to continue implementing its action plan.
The aim of COP20 CITES is to regulate trade in wild species to ensure their sustainability and prevent them from becoming extinct. The draft resolution, which is open to amendments until 15 May, reads “What progress has been made in filling the gaps identified in the fight against illegal wildlife trafficking”?
On Monday 12 May, MEPs placed particular emphasis on cybercrime linked to the wildlife trade. According to Manuela Ripa (Greens/EFA, German), the “new risks” it generates “must be addressed”. Pascal Canfin (Renew Europe, French) noted that the illegal wildlife trade is “the third largest criminal activity in the world”. Jonas Sjösjedt (The Left, Swedish) and César Luena (S&D, Spanish) deplored the fact that ivory markets still exist.
In their draft resolution, MEPs felt that “concerns related to illegal wildlife trade should be included systematically in EU trade policy, including through bilateral agreements”.
As it stands, the Environment Committee’s draft resolution calls on the European Commission and Member States to cooperate at international level to put an end to wildlife crimes and “to guarantee sufficient resources for the proper implementation of the entire convention”.
See the resolution: https://aeur.eu/f/gsx
See questions to the European Commission: https://aeur.eu/f/gsy ; and to the EU Council: https://aeur.eu/f/gsz (Original version in French by Florent Servia)