COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, THE COUNCIL, THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE AND THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS EU Action Plan against Wildlife Trafficking
Date: 2016-02-26
Institutions: Directorate-General for Environment, European Commission
Subjects: action programme, animal life, illicit trade, organised crime, plant life, protected species, protection of animals, protection of plant life

EN 

   EN 

   EUROPEAN COMMISSION  Brussels, 26.2.2016  COM(2016) 87 final   COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, THE COUNCIL, THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE AND THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS EU Action Plan against Wildlife Trafficking {SWD(2016) 38 final}  
 
 
COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN 
PARLIAMENT, THE COUNCIL, THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL 
COMMITTEE AND THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS 

EU Action Plan against Wildlife Trafficking 

2. 

 
 
1. Setting the scene  

Wildlife  trafficking1  has  become  one  of  the  world's  most  profitable  organised  crimes.  The 
exact  scale  is  difficult  to  quantify,  but  different  sources2  estimate  the  profits  from  such 
trafficking  at  between  EUR  8  and  EUR  20  billion  annually.  It  covers  a  broad  range  of 
protected species, including elephants and rhinos, corals, pangolins, tigers and great apes.  

A growing problem worldwide… 

The illicit ivory trade has more than doubled since 2007, and is over three times greater than 
it was in 1998. Between 2007 and 2013, rhino poaching increased by 7000% in South Africa, 
endangering the very survival of this species3. More than 4000 tonnes of highly endangered 
rosewood  suspected  to  have  been  illegally  exported  from  Madagascar  were  seized  by  the 
authorities  in  various  transit  and  destination  countries  between  November  2013  and  April 
2014 alone.  

The  EU  has  an  important  role  to  play  in  tackling  this  traffic,  as  Europe  is  currently  a 
destination market and a hub for trafficking in transit to other regions. It is also a region from 
which  certain  species  are  sourced  for  illegal  trade.  In  recent  years,  Member  States  have 
reported, in particular, seizures of ivory and rhino horns in transit and illegal imports of live 
reptiles  and exotic birds, while  several tonnes of highly endangered eels from the EU have 
been illegally sold to Asia. 

… with major implications for the rule of law, crime and security  

Wildlife  trafficking  has  a  devastating  impact  on  biodiversity,  threatening  to  eradicate  some 
species.  Moreover,  it  both  creates  incentives  for  corrupt  practices  and  is  enabled  by  them, 
thereby undermining the rule of law. Notably in some regions in Africa, it has a very negative 
impact on the potential for economic development4. 

Wildlife  trafficking  is  very  attractive  to  criminals,  as  it  is  highly  lucrative  and,  in  most 
countries, a low enforcement priority by comparison with other forms of trafficking, so the 
risk of detection and penalties is very limited. Links with money laundering and other forms 
of organised crime, such as trafficking in drugs and firearms, have been regularly reported5. 
The  UN  Security  Council  has  acknowledged  that  wildlife  trafficking  in  Central  Africa  is 
fuelling  conflicts  and  threatening  regional  and  national  security  by  providing  a  source  of 
funding to militia groups6. 

A higher international profile…  

1   Defined as international and non-international illegal trade in wild animals and plants and derived products, 

and closely interlinked offences such as poaching. 

2   https://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/frontpage/2014/May/wildlife-crime-worth-8-10-billion-annually.html 

https://cites.org/eng/international_dimension_of_illegal_wildlife_trade 
http://www.gfintegrity.org/report/briefing-paper-transnational-crime/ 

3   The Staff Working Document accompanying this Communication (SWD(2016) 38) shows in greater detail 

the scale of wildlife trafficking worldwide and the EU's role in the illegal trade. 

4   See SWD(2016) 38 
5   See SWD(2016) 38 
6   Resolution 2134 (2014) and 2136 (2014); "Report of the Secretary-General on the situation in Central Africa 

and the activities of the United Nations Regional Office for Central Africa", 30 November 2015  

3. 

 
 
 
                                                            
Attention to wildlife trafficking at the international political level has grown in recent years, 
given  the  surge  in  its  scale  and  impact.  The  UN  General  Assembly  adopted  the  first 
resolution on this specific subject, which was co-sponsored by all EU Member States, in July 
20157.  The  issue  was  also  specifically  addressed  at  other  recent  important  international 
events, such as a high-level conference held in Kasane, Botswana in March 20158, and the G7 
Summit  in  June  20159.  As  a  result,  joint  commitments  were  made  by  the  international 
community, including the EU and its Member States, to step up anti-trafficking action. 

Numerous measures to combat wildlife trafficking have been adopted under the Convention 
on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), a key international treaty regulating 
the international trade in wildlife, to which the EU became a party in 2015. The United States 
have  set  up  a  Presidential  Task  Force  and  adopted  a  national  strategy  against  wildlife 
trafficking. Key market countries such as China are showing increased engagement, notably 
through stronger enforcement efforts, and the will to cooperate more closely with the EU on 
these issues. The African Union has started implementing a continent-wide strategy.  

…which needs to be translated into action on the ground 

The  EU  has  already  shown  leadership  in  tackling  the  illegal  trade  in  natural  resources  by 
adopting  ambitious  policies  on  timber  and  fishery  products.  This  EU  Action  Plan 
demonstrates that the EU is ready to live up to international expectations and commitments, 
and  that  it  is  raising  the  level  of  its  ambition  as  regards  action  against  the  illegal  trade  in 
wildlife.  This  will  also  help  to  ensure  that  the  significant  investments  made  over  the  last 
decades  through  EU  development  support  for  wildlife  conservation  worldwide  will  not  be 
undermined through criminal activities.  

The  Action  Plan  is  a  major  contribution  towards  the  Sustainable  Development  Goals  set 
under  the  2030  Agenda  for  Sustainable  Development  agreed  by  heads  of  state  at  a  UN 
summit in September 2015. Goal 15, which relates to biodiversity, sets the target of "tak[ing] 
urgent  action  to  end  poaching  and  trafficking  of  protected  species  of  flora  and  fauna,  and 
address[ing] both demand and supply of illegal wildlife products"10.  

The European Parliament called for an Action Plan in a resolution adopted in January 201411. 
An  EU  Action  Plan  has  also  been  supported  by  many  EU  Member  States,  international 
organisations,  NGOs,  and  concerned  businesses  at  a  stakeholder  consultation  on  the  EU 
approach  against  wildlife  trafficking,  launched  by  the  European  Commission  in  February 
201412. 

The  EU  and  its  Member  States  need  to  address  the  problem  together.  EU-wide  rules 
regulating  the  trade  in  wildlife  have  been  in  place  in  all  Member  States  since  198313, 

7   Resolution 69/314 
8   https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/417231/kasane-statement-

150325.pdf  

9   https://www.g7germany.de/Content/EN/_Anlagen/G7/2015-06-08-g7-abschluss-

eng_en.pdf?__blob=publicationFile&v=3, p. 11. 

10   Target 15.7.  
11   Cf. European Parliament Resolution of 15 January 2014 (2013/2747(RSP)). 
12   See COM (2014) 64 and SWD (2014) 347.  
13   Council Regulation (EC) 338/97.  

4. 

 
 
                                                            
implementing  CITES,  and  the  Commission  issued  a  recommendation  on  enforcement  in 
200714.  

However,  reports15  reveal  significant differences  in  how  the  Member  States  implement  and 
enforce these shared rules. This represents a major risk; criminals can easily exploit this state 
of  affairs  by  diverting  trade  routes  accordingly,  as  a  number  of  cases  in  recent  years  have 
shown. It has also emerged, in various reports and during the stakeholder consultation, that 
lack  of  awareness  and  political  engagement  are  also  major  obstacles  to  combating  wildlife 
trafficking effectively.  

A  joint  commitment  by  the  EU  and  its  Member  States,  in  the  form  of  an  Action  Plan,  to 
international  commitments  and 
implementing  shared 
taking  a  series  of  measures, 
acknowledging at a political level the importance of tackling the problem, represents a way to 
ensure  more  even  EU-wide  enforcement.  It  will  help  boost  the  EU's  credibility  worldwide 
when it demands that its global partners take stronger action against wildlife trafficking.  

In  implementing  this  Action  Plan,  it  will  be  essential  to  work  together  closely  with 
stakeholders,  including  civil  society  organisations  and  relevant  business  sectors,  on  many 
specific measures to make maximum use of the available expertise and knowledge and ensure 
maximum impact.  

2. The components of the Action Plan  

The  EU  Action  Plan  comprises  a  series  of  measures  to  be  taken  by  EU  institutions  and/or 
Member States. These are set out in the Annex to this communication.  

Clearly,  sufficient  finance  and  human  resources  will  be  needed  to  support  these  measures. 
This Action Plan provides the impetus and framework for making better use of existing EU 
resources.  The  measures  are  essentially  designed  to  improve  cooperation  between  all  the 
players  concerned,  make  more  effective  use  of  existing  tools  and  policies,  and  strengthen 
synergies between them, so that wildlife trafficking can be better tackled across the EU and 
globally.  

The measures, which are designed to address a complex problem holistically by involving all 
relevant organisations, are based on three priorities:  
(1) preventing wildlife trafficking and addressing its root causes,  
(2) implementing and enforcing existing rules and combating organised wildlife crime more 
effectively, and  
(3) strengthening the global partnership of source, consumer and transit countries against 
wildlife trafficking.  

The objectives and related actions under each priority are detailed in the table in the Annex.  

Priority 1: Preventing wildlife trafficking and addressing its root causes 

Efforts will be made to reduce the demand for and the supply of illegal wildlife products, 
both within the EU and globally, by using the available multilateral (CITES) and EU-specific 
tools, supporting specific campaigns and further limiting ivory trade within and from the EU 
(Objective 1.1 – see the table in the Annex). One important way to tackle the root causes of 

14   OJ L 159, 20.6.2007, p. 45–47 
15   See SWD(2016) 38 

5. 

 
 
                                                            
wildlife trafficking is to ensure that rural communities in source countries are more engaged 
in wildlife conservation, and that they benefit more from it (Objective 1.2).  

Engaging more actively with relevant business sectors, ranging from those active in wildlife 
trade  or  using  wildlife products  to  those  that  provide  services  to  the trade,  is  another  focus 
area. This reflects EU commitment to the responsible management of global supply chains16 
(Objective 1.3).  Finally,  multilateral  and  bilateral  measures  will  be  taken  to  tackle 
corruption,  a  crucial  enabling  factor  for  wildlife  trafficking  throughout  the  enforcement 
chain (Objective 1.4). 

Priority 2: Implementing and enforcing existing rules and combating organised wildlife 
crime more effectively 

Although  existing  international  and  EU  rules  on  the  wildlife  trade  are  appropriate  overall, 
numerous  studies  and  reports  reveal17  significant  difficulties  with  implementing  and 
enforcing  them.  This  is  particularly  true  of  the  relatively  new  phenomenon  of  organised 
wildlife  crime.  A  review  of  shortcomings  in  implementation  is  to  be  conducted  for  all 
Member States, and strategies for tackling them are to be developed, to ensure that existing 
rules are enforced more consistently across the EU (Objective 2.1).  

Setting  enforcement  priorities  jointly  and  having  Europol  and  Eurojust  provide  dedicated 
support  for  cross-border  cases  will  help  make  checks  and  enforcement  more  strategic  in 
nature.  In  line  with  the  EU  Agenda  on  Security,  a  review  will  be  started  in  2016  to  assess 
whether the current EU legislative framework for tackling environmental crime, particularly 
organised wildlife crime, is fit for purpose.  

The purpose of Objective 2.2 is to boost the capacity of all links in the enforcement chain 
and the judiciary to take effective action against wildlife trafficking in the EU. This requires 
national  action  to  improve  inter-agency  cooperation  and  coordination,  communication  and 
data  flow  by  sharing  best  practice  at  EU  level.  The  knowledge  base  on  wildlife  trafficking 
cases needs to be improved, and training is essential. 

Fighting organised crime more effectively (Objective 2.3) in the area of wildlife trafficking 
requires targeted awareness-raising amongst specialists  on organised crime, cybercrime and 
money  laundering.  In  addition,  all  Member  States  must  implement  the  international 
commitments  they  have  made,  to  ensure  that  their  laws  on  organised  crime  cover  wildlife 
trafficking  and  that  appropriate  penalties  can  be  imposed  for  trafficking.  Finally, 
international  cooperation  on  enforcement  is  to  be  improved  (Objective  2.4)  through 
participation  in  international  law  enforcement  operations,  technical  assistance  and  targeted 
financial support.  

Priority 3: Strengthening the global partnership of source, consumer and transit 
countries against wildlife trafficking 

Various measures will be taken to step up  funding to support developing countries in their 
efforts  to  combat  wildlife  trafficking,  make  support  more  effective  and  use  it  more 
strategically.  This  will  be  done  through  comprehensive  needs  assessments  and  by 
coordinating  support  more  effectively  with  other  donors  (Objective  3.1).  To  strengthen  the 

16   See COM (2015) 497, Trade for all – towards a more responsible trade and investment policy  
17   See SWD(2016) 38 

6. 

 
 
                                                            
global partnership against wildlife trafficking, the diplomatic tools of the EU and its Member 
States  and  other  tools,  notably  EU  trade  policy,  must  be  used  more  effectively  in  relations 
with  key  source,  transit  and  consumer  countries  and  relevant  regional  organisations 
(Objective 3.2).  

Better tools must be developed to tackle the links between wildlife trafficking and  security 
that  exist  in  some  regions  (Objective 3.3).  Finally,  the  existing  multilateral  processes,  in 
international  agreements  and  fora,  must  be  used  to  keep  the  issue  on  the  global  agenda, 
maintain  political  commitment  and  monitor  the  implementation  of  commitments.  The  next 
CITES  Conference  of  the  Parties  in  September  2016  will  be  particularly  important  for  this 
purpose (Objective 3.4).    

3. Monitoring and evaluation 

The  Action  Plan  covers  the  five  years  from  2016  to  2020.  The  table  in  the  Annex  assigns 
each measure to an EU actor (the Commission services, the EEAS, Europol, Eurojust) and/or 
Member States and sets out a timeline for implementing them. The Commission services and 
the EEAS will establish a scoreboard to monitor implementation.  

The  EU  Wildlife  Trade  Enforcement  Group  set  up  under  Regulation  (EC)  338/97  and 
consisting  of  representatives  of  EU  Member  States'  enforcement  authorities  is  to  review 
progress  twice  a  year.  The  Commission  will  report  to  the  Council  and  the  European 
Parliament  by  July  2018  on  progress  in  implementing  the  Action  Plan,  and  on  whether  its 
priorities and objectives are appropriate and relevant. Progress made and the success of the 
Action  Plan  in  curbing  wildlife  trafficking  will  be  evaluated  in  2020.  On  that  basis,  the 
Commission will consider what further action is needed.  

An  Inter-Service  Group  within  the  Commission  will  coordinate  activities  across  the  areas 
concerned  and  ensure  that  all  relevant  Commission  services  and  the  EEAS  perform  their 
allotted tasks.  

4. Links with other EU initiatives and policies 

The Action Plan will supersede Commission Recommendation No 2007/425/EC identifying a 
set of actions for the enforcement of Regulation (EC) No 338/97 on the protection of species 
of wild fauna and flora by regulating trade therein.  

The Action Plan  will be implemented in  such  a  way as  to  ensure consistency with  existing 
EU  policies  with  a  bearing  on  the  illegal  trade  in  natural  resources.  These  include  the  EU 
Action  Plan  on  Forest  Law  Enforcement,  Governance  and  Trade  (FLEGT);the  EU  policy 
against  Illegal,  Unreported  and  Unregulated  (IUU)  fishing;  and  EU  initiatives  against 
trafficking  in  waste,  drugs,  counterfeit  goods,  firearms  or  human  beings,  money  laundering 
and illicit financial flows.  

7. 

 
 
 
ANNEX – Table of actions  

Priority I – Preventing wildlife trafficking and addressing its root causes  

Actions  

1. Increase support for awareness- 
raising and targeted demand 
reduction campaigns in the EU 
and worldwide  

Objective 1.1 

Reduce the demand 
for and supply of 
illegal wildlife 
products 

2. Further limit trade in ivory 
within and from the EU 

3. Reduce or ban unsustainable 
imports into the EU of 
endangered species by proposing 
their listing in CITES Appendices 
(e.g. rare reptile species) 

Responsi
ble  
COM/ 
HRVP18/ 
MS 

COM/ 
MS 

COM  

MS 

COM 

Expected results 

Action taken and funding provided to raise awareness and 
reduce demand for illegal wildlife products in important non-
EU countries and within the EU, notably for species illegally 
traded in large numbers within the EU  

Existing awareness-raising tools and materials shared among 
the Member States 

Commission guidelines issued to ensure uniform 
interpretation of EU rules with the aim to suspend the export 
of raw pre-Convention ivory and guarantee that only legal 
ancient ivory items are traded in the EU  
Member States do not issue export and re-export documents 
for raw pre-Convention ivory  

Member States only issue intra-EU trade certificates for 
ancient ivory items on the basis of the criteria defined in the 
guidelines 
New listing proposals submitted for consideration by 
Conferences of the Parties (CoPs) of CITES  

18   High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs & Security Policy / Vice-President of the European Commission.  

Timeline  

Continuous, 
with first 
milestone at 
the end of 
2016 
End of 2016 

End of 2016 

Continuous 
with first 
milestone at 
the end of 
2016 

Continuous, 
with first 
milestone in 
April 2016  

8. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                            
Actions  

4. Strengthen engagement of rural 
communities in the management 
and conservation of wildlife  

Responsi
ble  
COM/ 
MS  

Expected results 

The need for proper engagement of rural communities in the 
design and implementation of measures against wildlife 
trafficking is made a priority in relevant EU and Member 
States policies and funding 

5. Support the development of 
sustainable and alternative 
livelihoods for communities 
living in and adjacent to wildlife 
habitats  
6. Raise awareness of business 
sectors trading in wildlife 
products within/from the EU or 
facilitating such trade 

COM/ 
HRVP/ 
MS 

COM 

COM 

Support to sustainable economic activities benefiting rural 
communities living in and adjacent to wildlife habitats is 
prioritised in EU and Member States' policies on funding 
support for rural areas in source countries 

Main players in wildlife trade related business sectors 
identified at EU level and regular communication channels on 
wildlife trade issues set up between them and the Commission  

Sessions of the EU Wildlife Trade Enforcement Group 
organised with business players to discuss specific issues (e.g. 
Traditional Chinese Medicine, exotic pets, luxury industry, 
hunting tourism, transport, courier companies, online trade) 

7. Support private-sector 
initiatives to curb the illegal 
wildlife trade and encourage 
sustainable sourcing of wildlife 
products in/from the EU 
8. Support initiatives to fight the 
corruption associated with 
wildlife trafficking at national, 
regional and international levels 

COM/ 
MS 

Existing private-led initiatives and private-public partnerships 
supported and best practice shared to encourage new 
initiatives  

COM/ 
HRVP 

Wildlife trafficking included in EU policy and tools against 
corruption (notably as part of dialogues with key third 
countries receiving budgetary support) 

Objective 1.2 

Ensure that rural 
communities in source 
countries are engaged 
in and benefit from 
wildlife conservation 

Objective 1.3 

Increase business 
sector engagement in 
efforts to combat 
wildlife trafficking 
and encourage 
sustainable sourcing 
of wildlife products 

Objective 1.4 

Tackle corruption 
associated with 
wildlife trafficking  

Timeline  

Continuous, 
with first 
milestone at 
the end of 
2016 

Continuous, 
with first 
milestone at 
the end of 
2016 
End of 2016 

Continuous, 
with first 
milestone at 
the end of 
2016 
End of 2017 

Continuous, 
with first 
milestone at 
the end of 
2016 

9. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Actions  

Responsi
ble  
COM/ 
HRVP/ 
MS 

Expected results 

Issue addressed in bilateral meetings with key partner 
countries and in relevant multilateral fora, including G7, G20, 
UN Convention against Corruption 

COM/ 
MS 

Relevant resolution proposal submitted for consideration by 
CITES 17th Conference of the Parties 

Timeline  

Continuous, 
with first 
milestone at 
the end of 
2016 
April 2016 

Priority 2 – Making implementation and enforcement of existing rules and the fight against organised wildlife crime more effective  

Objective 2.1: Ensure 
more even 
implementation of EU 
rules on the wildlife 
trade and develop a 
more strategic 
approach to checks 
and the enforcement 
of rules against 
wildlife trafficking at 
EU level 

Actions  

9. Develop strategies to improve 
compliance with EU wildlife 
legislation at national level 

Responsi
ble  
COM 

MS 
COM 

Expected results 

Shortcomings in implementing EU wildlife trade regulations 
in each Member State assessed by the Commission and 
recommendations put forward on how to improve these 
shortcomings  
Recommendations implemented in the Member States 
Implementation of EU rules on importing hunting trophies in 
the EU proactively monitored, to ensure that such trophies are 
of legal and sustainable origin 

10. Improve rate of detection of 
illegal activities  

MS 

In addition to the checks at border-crossing points required 
under Regulation (EC) No 338/97, in-country compliance 
monitoring and enforcement ensured, in particular through 
regular checks on traders and holders such as pet shops, 
breeders and nurseries  

Timeline  

End 2016 

2017 
Continuous 
with first 
milestone at 
the end of 
2016 

Continuous 
with first 
milestone at 
the end of 
2016 

10. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Actions  

11. Step up efforts to ensure 
implementation of the EU 
roadmap towards eliminating the 
illegal killing, trapping and trade 
of birds (also relevant under 
Priority 1)   

Responsi
ble  
COM 

COM/ 
MS 

Expected results 

Funding provided for the Intergovernmental Task Force on 
the illegal killing of birds in the Mediterranean established 
under the Convention on Migratory Species and first meeting 
held 
Action taken to improve national monitoring and enforcement 
of compliance 

12. Define and assess priority 
risks regularly  

MS 

Enforcement priorities as regards target species and products 
(such as eels, ivory, rhino horns, live reptiles and birds), trade 
routes and smuggling methods defined at national level  

COM/ 
Europol/
MS 

Based on common risk-based assessment of EU-wide 
priorities agreed at the EU Wildlife Trade Enforcement 
Group, in cooperation with Europol 

13. Improve cooperation among 
Member States on cases of cross-
border wildlife trafficking  

COM/ 
Europol/
Eurojust 

Sufficient resources earmarked in Europol and Eurojust for 
work on wildlife trafficking 

Timeline  

Mid-2016 

Continuous 
with first 
milestone at 
the end of 
2016 
Continuous 
with first 
milestone at 
the end of 
2016 
Continuous 
with first 
milestone at 
the end of 
2016 
Continuous 
with first 
milestone at 
the end of 
2016 

11. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Actions  

14. Review the EU policy and 
legislative framework on 
environmental crime in line with 
the European Agenda on Security  
15. Improve cooperation, 
coordination, communication and 
data flow between the 
enforcement agencies responsible 
in the Member States  

Objective 2.2: 
Increase capacity to 
combat wildlife 
trafficking of all parts 
of the enforcement 
chain and the 
judiciary 

Responsi
ble  
Europol/
Eurojust/
MS 

Europol/
Eurojust/
MS 

COM 

MS 

MS 

COM/ 
MS 

Expected results 

Regular joint operations involving cross-border cooperation 
carried out by EU Member States (facilitated by Europol)  

Joint Investigation Teams involving Europol and/or Eurojust 
set up 

Effectiveness of Directive 2008/99 reviewed, including 
concerning the criminal sanctions applicable to wildlife 
trafficking throughout the EU 

A coordination mechanism (such as an inter-agency task force 
and/or Memorandum of Understanding) between the relevant 
agencies (customs, inspection services, police, CITES 
management and enforcement authorities) is put in place in 
each Member State, and all the authorities with responsibility 
in this area have access to the relevant communication 
channels  
Options for data exchange between the authorities responsible 
in this field under national legislation reviewed by Member 
States 

Best practice for inter-agency cooperation and the effective 
monitoring and enforcement of compliance in the MS is 
collected and shared at EU level through the EU Wildlife 
Trade Enforcement Group 

Timeline  

Continuous 
with first 
milestone at 
the end of 
2016 
Continuous 
with first 
milestone at 
the end of 
2016 
2016  

Mid-2017 

Mid-2017 

Continuous 
with first 
milestone at 
the end of 
2016 

12. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Actions  

16. Improve knowledge base on 
checks, investigations, 
prosecutions and judicial 
proceedings against wildlife 
trafficking 

Responsi
ble  
MS 

17. Step up training for all parts 
of the enforcement chain, 
including joint training activities  

COM/ 
MS 

COM/ 
ENPE 

COM 

COM/ 
MS 

COM 

Expected results 

More systematic provision by Member States to the 
Commission of relevant qualitative and statistical data, 
including data on checks, investigations, seizures, prosecution 
cases and judgments, including the penalties imposed, and 
systematic information to Europol about all cases with 
organised crime and/or cross-border implications 
Data collection methodology in the field of wildlife 
trafficking streamlined throughout the EU and awareness 
raised in relevant expert groups on crime statistics 

Database containing case law on wildlife trafficking from 
Member States established at ENPE19 to facilitate knowledge-
sharing 

Training on wildlife trafficking is included in the programme 
of EU training institutions such as CEPOL, ERA and others 

Existing training material is compiled and shared within the 
EU 

Training against wildlife trafficking eligible for funding 
support under the various relevant EU financial instruments 
(LIFE, Internal Security Fund, etc.) 

MS 

Training is regularly given in Member States for the entire 
enforcement/judiciary chain, including joint training sessions 
bringing together relevant enforcement agencies, prosecutors 

19   European Network of Prosecutors for the Environment  

Timeline  

Continuous 
with first 
milestone at 
the end of 
2016 

Continuous 
with first 
milestone at 
the end of 
2016 
Mid-2017 

Continuous 
with first 
milestone at 
the end of 
2016 
End of 2016 

Continuous 
with first 
milestone at 
the end of 
2016 
Continuous 
with first 
milestone at 

13. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                            
Actions  

Responsi
ble  

Expected results 

and judges 

18. Strengthen or, where 
applicable, establish practitioner 
networks at national and regional 
level, and improve cooperation 
between them 

MS 

COM 

Establishment of relevant national networks supported in each 
Member State 
Joint meetings of relevant EU networks20 organised  

19. Improve care of seized or 
confiscated live animals or plants  

MS 

Objective 2.3: Fight 
organised wildlife 
crime more effectively 

20. Regularly assess the threat 
posed by organised wildlife 
trafficking in the EU  

Europol 

21. Boost capacity of relevant 
experts to tackle the links of 
wildlife trafficking with organised 
crime, including cybercrime and 
related illicit financial flows  

COM/ 
MS 

MS 

Facilities are available in all Member States for temporary 
care of seized or confiscated live specimens, and mechanisms 
are in place for long-term rehoming, where necessary. 
Assistance is provided to other Member States.  

Serious and Organised Crime Threat Assessments (SOCTAs) 
include assessment of wildlife trafficking threat, based on data 
and, where possible, national threat assessments provided by 
Member States  

Awareness-raising activities conducted in relevant fora 
(REFCO Network of Prosecutors specialised on organised 
crime, national organised crime, cybercrime and financial 
investigation units) 

Capacity built to tackle online wildlife trafficking within 
competent units and ensured that channels exist to trigger 
assistance from units specialised in cybercrime in specific 
cases (e.g. darkweb investigations, abuse of virtual 

Timeline  

the end of 
2016 

Mid-2017 

Continuous 
with first 
milestone at 
the end of 
2016 
Continuous 
with first 
milestone at 
the end of 
2016 
Continuous 
with first 
milestone in 
the first half 
of 2017 
Continuous 
with first 
milestone at 
the end of 
2016 
Continuous 
with first 
milestone at 
the end of 

20   Such as EU Wildlife Trade Enforcement Group, European Network of Prosecutors for the Environment ENPE, European Forum of Judges for the Environment EUFJE, IMPEL, Project Group for 

the Coordination of activities on the protection of Health, Cultural Heritage and the Environment PARCS, EnviCrimeNet. 

14. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                            
Actions  

Responsi
ble  

Expected results 

COM/ 
MS 
COM/ 
MS 
MS 

currencies). 
Issue put on the agenda of the FATF21, of CARIN22 and of the 
Egmont Group of Financial Intelligence Units  
FATF requested to prepare guidance on links between money 
laundering and wildlife trafficking  
Training on investigations into illicit financial flows related to 
wildlife trafficking organised  

MS 

Relevant national legislation reviewed, and where necessary 
amended  

Timeline  

2016 
End of 2016 

End of 2016 

Continuous 
with first 
milestone at 
the end of 
2016 
End of 2017 

MS 

Relevant national legislation reviewed, and where necessary 
amended 

End of 2017 

22. Member States ensure, in line 
with international commitments 
made, that organised wildlife 
trafficking constitutes throughout 
the EU a serious crime under the 
UN Convention against 
Transnational Organized Crime, 
i.e. that it is punishable by 
imprisonment of a maximum of at 
least four years 
23. Member States review, in line 
with UNGA Resolution, national 
legislation on money laundering 
to ensure that offences connected 
to wildlife trafficking can be 
treated as predicate offences and 
are actionable under domestic 
proceeds of crime legislation 

21   Financial Action Task Force 
22   Camden Assets Recovery Interagency Network 

15. 

 
 
 
 
 
                                                            
Objective 2.4: 
Improve international 
cooperation on 
enforcement against 
wildlife trafficking 

Actions  

24. Step up cooperation on 
enforcement between the Member 
States and EU enforcement actors 
and key non-EU countries and 
other regional Wildlife 
Enforcement Networks, relevant 
global networks (International 
Consortium for Combating 
Wildlife Trafficking, ICCWC23, 
and the International Network for 
Environmental Compliance and 
Enforcement, INECE)  

25. Support capacity building for 
law enforcement in key source 
and market countries, including 
enforcement within protected 
sites  

Responsi
ble  
COM/ 
Europol 

Expected results 

Joint meetings held involving Europol, the EU Wildlife Trade 
Enforcement Group and relevant regional enforcement 
networks (e.g. ASEAN-WEN and Lusaka Agreement Task 
Force) and the INECE.  

COM 

Best practice in enforcement cooperation shared 

MS/ 
Europol  

Member States, assisted by Europol, participate in joint 
international law enforcement operations 

COM/ 
HRVP/ 
MS 

Continued funding support provided for ICCWC activities, 
including evaluations of enforcement systems based on the 
ICCWC wildlife and forest crime Toolkit 

COM/ 
HRVP/ 
MS 

Results of ICCWC Toolkit recommendations taken into 
account in targeted support to third countries 

23   Comprising Interpol, the CITES Secretariat, the World Customs Organisation, UNODC and the World Bank.  

Timeline  

Continuous 
with first 
milestone at 
the end of 
2016 
End 2016 

Continuous 
with first 
milestone at 
the end of 
2016 
Continuous 
with first 
milestone at 
the end of 
2016  
Continuous 
with first 
milestone at 
the end of 
2016 

16. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                            
Priority 3 - Strengthening the global partnership of source, consumer and transit countries against wildlife trafficking  

Actions  

Objective 3.1: 
Provide increased, 
more effective and 
more strategically 
focused support to 
developing countries  

26. Ensure that wildlife 
trafficking is considered for EU 
funding under relevant 
programmes in the areas of 
natural resources management, 
environment, organised crime, 
security and governance  

Responsi
ble 
COM/ 
HRVP 

27. Increase effectiveness of 
funding support against wildlife 
trafficking 

COM/ 
HRVP/ 
MS 

Objective 3.2 

Strengthen and 
coordinate better 
action against wildlife 

28. Step up dialogue with key 
source, transit and market 
countries, including dialogue with 
local communities, civil society 
and the private sector  

COM/ 
HRVP/ 
MS 

Expected results  

"Strategic Approach for Wildlife Conservation in Africa"24  
serves as a basis for programming relevant development 
support  

Further regional or thematic strategic approaches are 
developed 

Development cooperation funding streams, including the 
European Development Fund (EDF), the Development 
Cooperation Instrument (DCI), the Instrument contributing to 
Stability and Peace, and other financial instruments such as 
the Partnership Instrument, are mobilised against wildlife 
trafficking, within the agreed financial envelopes of the 
contributing programs, and other possible funding sources are 
explored  
Regular meetings held in key countries to coordinate donor 
activities 

Beneficiary countries asked to report on how the measures 
against wildlife trafficking funded by the EU have been 
effective in addressing the problem (using indicators such as 
the number of seizures and successful prosecutions) 
Priority countries identified  

Specific dialogue and technical cooperation structures 
established  

24   Larger than elephants - Inputs for an EU strategic approach to wildlife conservation in Africa – Synthesis, Publications Office of the European Union, 2015 

Timeline  

Continuous 
with first 
milestone at 
the end of 
2016 

Continuous 
with first 
milestone at 
the end of 
2016  

Continuous 
with first 
milestone at 
the end of 
2016 

17. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                            
trafficking and its 
root causes with 
relevant source, 
transit and market 
countries 

Actions  

Responsi
ble 

Expected results  

Topic systematically included in the agenda of political and 
sectorial dialogues and of high-level meetings with key non-
EU countries or regions 

HRVP/ 
MS 

COM/ 
HRVP 

Network of focal points in delegations and embassies in 
relevant countries set up, making use, where appropriate, of 
existing structures such as the Green Diplomacy Network 
Ambitious commitments to combat wildlife trafficking 
proposed by the EU for inclusion in future Free Trade 
Agreements (FTAs) e.g. with Japan and the USA (Trans-
Atlantic Trade and Investment Partnership – TTIP) 

29. Use EU trade policies and 
instruments proactively to support 
action against wildlife trafficking  

Timeline  

End of 2016 

Continuous 
with first 
milestone at 
the end of 
2016 

30. Strengthen cooperation 
against wildlife trafficking with 
relevant regional organisations, 
such as the African Union, 
SADC, the East African 
Community, ASEAN, and in 
relevant multilateral fora, such as 
ASEM 
31. Improve knowledge base and 
develop strategies to tackle the 
links between wildlife trafficking 
and security 

COM/ 
HRVP 

COM/ 
HRVP  

COM/ 
HRVP/ 

Objective 3.3 
Address security 
dimension of wildlife 
trafficking  

Proactive monitoring of the implementation of commitments 
associated with wildlife trafficking included in existing FTAs 
and the GSP+  regime  

Wildlife trafficking included on the agenda of EU bilateral 
trade dialogues with key partners and of the WTO Committee 
on Trade and Environment  
Topic included regularly on the agenda of high-level meetings   Continuous 

with first 
milestone at 
the end of 
2016 

Study launched to improve knowledge base on links between 
wildlife trafficking and other forms of organised crime and 
financing for militias or terrorist groups.  
Based on the results, next steps agreed in relevant EU fora 

Mid-2016 

Mid-2017 

18. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Expected results  

Timeline  

Actions  

Responsi
ble 
MS 

COM/ 
HRVP/ 
MS 
HRVP/ 
MS 

Security  dimension  of  wildlife  trafficking  considered  in 
overall  EU  situational  assessments  for  relevant  non-EU 
countries 
UN-EU cooperation on the illegal wildlife trade in the context 
of peacekeeping and crisis management stepped up 

Objective 3.4 
Strengthen 
multilateral efforts to 
combat wildlife 
trafficking  

32. Support the adoption and 
implementation of strong 
decisions, resolutions and 
political declarations on wildlife 
trafficking in international 
instruments and multilateral fora 

COM/ 
HRVP/ 
MS 

Issue addressed under  
  CITES – including, where necessary, through support for 

trade sanctions in cases of non-compliance  

  Convention on Migratory Species - Tunis Action Plan 

2013-2020 on the eradication of illegal killing, trapping 
and trade of wild birds under the Berne Convention on the 
Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats  

  Relevant multilateral initiatives at global level (UN, 

London and Kasane follow-up processes, G7, G20 etc.) 

Implementation of commitments made in these fora regularly 
monitored by the EU and its Member States  

End of 2016  

Continuous 
with first 
milestone at 
the end of 
2016 
Continuous 
with first 
milestone at 
the end of 
2016 

19.