CELEX ID: 52022DC0581

--- ENGLISH ---

Document:
EUROPEAN COMMISSION
Brussels, 9.11.2022
COM(2022) 581 final
COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, THE COUNCIL, THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE AND THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS
Revision of the EU action plan against wildlife trafficking
{SWD(2022) 354 final} - {SWD(2022) 355 final}
Revision of the EU action plan against wildlife trafficking
Setting the scene
December 2022 will be a critical moment for preserving global biodiversity. Signatories to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) will meet in Montreal for the conclusion of the 15th conference of parties to the CBD. At the meeting, the signatories will seek to shape global efforts to identify and commit to action to halt and reverse the continued destruction of biodiversity. One month earlier, parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna (CITES) will meet in Panama to review measures to ensure that international trade in wild animals and plants does not threaten the survival of species.
The fight against wildlife trafficking is a crucial part of efforts to halt biodiversity loss. As highlighted by the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services, sustainable use of wildlife is 
essential
 to meet the needs of present and future generations. 
The
 sustainable use of wildlife can help stop the emergence of new pandemics, provide sustained livelihoods for local and indigenous people, and contribute to restoring and maintaining biodiversity. By contrast, illegal or ineffectively regulated trade in wild species is a threat to 
this
 sustainable use
1
.
The post-2020 global biodiversity framework, which is to be adopted at the 15th conference of the parties to the CBD in December, is expected to set concrete goals and targets to ensure that the harvesting, use of, and trade in wild, terrestrial, freshwater and marine species is legal and sustainable. This updated action plan is intended to contribute to the full implementation of this commitment by the European Union and its Member States.
The i
llegal wildlife trade remains serious and widespread. 
According to
 the 2020 World Wildlife Crime 
R
eport
 by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime
, no country 
in the world 
is unaffected by wildlife 
trafficking
, 
with
 
a wide variety of species involved, from eels to 
pangolins to rosewood
2
.
 
Globally, t
he
 
numbers of seizures 
of trafficked wildlife by the authorities 
have fallen
 
since the start of
 
the COVID-19 pandemic
3
, 
but 
there is no evidence that trafficking itself is being curbed.
The i
l
l
egal 
trade of species is 
a 
driver of 
global 
biodiversity loss
4
.
 
The 
illegal
 
exploitation of species can 
greatly
 
weaken wild populations, and in some cases drive them to extinction
5
.
 
S
pecies 
that are not directly targeted for trafficking 
can also be 
impacted
, 
for example 
through by-catch or habitat depletion.
 
The
 illegal
 removal of keystone species from ecosystems can 
also 
have cascading effects, affecting ecosystem services, destroying important carbon sinks, 
and disturbing
 the health and balance of land and water
6
.
 
Moreover, t
he release of
 trafficked
 alien species into the wild
 in destination countries
 can disrupt local habitats, with potentially devastating impacts on 
indigenous 
species.
W
ildlife trafficking also has 
very destructive socioeconomic impacts
. The widespread 
illegal
 trade of wild animals can increase the risk of transmission of zoonotic diseases (
i.e.
 
diseases originating in animals that go on to infect humans), with potentially devastating results for public health.
 T
he destruction of 
ecosystems
 which can result 
from
 poaching and trafficking 
often 
deprives local communities of legal and sustainable forms of income
. These legal and sustainable forms of income include
 
nature-based 
tourism
,
 
well-managed trophy hunting
, 
and 
sustainable 
trade in 
wildlife.
 
Well-
managed trade in wildlife can actively benefit species conservation, creating incentives for local communities to protect wildlife resources in their environment, while making a sufficient and sustainable living. 
However, 
w
ildlife trafficking is economically extremely lucrative.
 
The 
attractiveness of
 wildlife trafficking
 –
 
given
 the low risk/high reward nature of the crime
 
– 
seriously threatens public safety
. It
 weakens the rule of law
 and legitimate institutions
. Wildlife trafficking
 
both 
benefit
s
 from and 
contributes 
to 
corruption 
while simultaneously
 
supporting further criminal activities
7
. There is clear evidence of 
links between wildlife trafficking, organised crime (including weapons trafficking) and terrorism
8
.
A key role for the EU to play
T
he EU
 
functions as a hub for global wildlife trafficking
9
, and has a key role to play in the fight against 
it
. The reported 
value of the illegal wildlife trade in the EU was a minimum of 
EUR 
4.7 million
 in 
2019 but
 is likely to be much larger
10
.
The EU is therefore globally well-placed to lead the fight against wildlife trafficking. EU regulations on the wildlife trade make it possible to go beyond the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) in protecting endangered species against unsustainable exploitation. For example, the EU’s current rules on trophy hunting expand permit obligations to – and increase scrutiny of – species beyond those in the strictest CITES listing.
The EU can build on its long experience in combating wildlife trafficking
The new action plan builds on the previous EU action plan against wildlife trafficking (2016-2020
).
11
The evaluation of the 2016 action plan found that, s
ince 2016, wildlife trafficking has 
risen
 
up 
the agenda as a priority issue among a wide range of 
policymakers
, law-enforcement agencies, and stakeholders in the EU
 and worldwide
. 
The EU and its Member States have 
now 
scaled up
 
enforcement measures, 
for instance through
 enhanced cross-border investigations with the active involvement of Europol, Eurojust and law-enforcement agencies. This has resulted in more seizures and prosecutions, including through the activities of the 
European Multidisciplinary Platform Against Criminal Threats 
(EMPACT). 
In addition, the European Commission
 has
 increased its support to – and cooperation with – relevant national authorities and European networks of enforcement practitioners on tackling environmental crime. 
T
he
 Commission also adopted a proposal
 for a new EU 
d
irective to crack down on environmental crime
.
The EU has also led actions against wildlife trafficking in multilateral fora, notably under CITES. To deliver on the EU’s commitment to take further action against elephant poaching and ivory trafficking globally, the EU updated its rules to end most forms of ivory trade in the EU.
The EU and Member States’ diplomatic networks have also been mobilised, actively engaging in bilateral and regional dialogues. Last, but not least, the EU has since 2016 provided substantial funding for capacity building and international action against wildlife trafficking, including for: (i) advocating for the involvement of local communities in source countries of wildlife trafficking; and (ii) providing these local communities with alternative livelihoods and alternative sources of income.
Continued challenges and new opportunities
Despite these efforts, wildlife trafficking, combined with climate change and environmental degradation, continues to put a serious strain on wildlife as well as on people’s livelihoods and security. There have been changes over time in both trading routes and traded species. Moreover, increased 
use of online platforms for trading in wildlife illegally 
and the related 
use of small-parcel services
 have created new challenges for detecting and investigating this type of crime, calling for new solutions and increased resources. The increase in seizures of trafficked wildlife in the EU since 2016 has not translated into a proportional increase in prosecutions and convictions. A lack of specialised staff, resources and training in many of the Member States and non-EU countries remains a major issue. There is also scope for improving cooperation: (i) within EU Member States; (ii) among EU Member States; (iii) between the EU and non-EU countries; and (iv) with stakeholders and civil society.
Way forward
This revised action plan aims to guide EU action against wildlife trafficking in the period until 2027. Building on the 2016 action plan, it aims to 
respond to the current challenges in a comprehensive way
. While the focus of the action plan is on wildlife trafficking, it makes necessary links with the EU Wildlife Trade Regulations and other related policies.
Addressing wildlife trafficking requires a comprehensive approach and a range of measures at the intersection of the wildlife trade and wider wildlife conservation policy, all with the aim of allowing only sustainable trade in wildlife to occur.
The action plan is structured around four main priorities, set out below.
Priority 1
:
Preventing wildlife trafficking and addressing its root causes
Priority
 2
:
Strengthening the legal and policy framework against wildlife
trafficking
Priority 3
:
Enforcing regulations and polic
ies
 to fight wildlife trafficking effectively
Priority 4
:
Strengthening the global partnership of source, consumer and transit countries against wildlife trafficking
Each priority has several objectives, and for each of the objectives, a number of actions have been identified. These actions are not exhaustive and may be complemented by additional measures. The objectives and related actions have been detailed in the Annex.
Through these priorities, the new action plan:
·
focuses 
on 
multi
-agency cooperation and coordination
 to effectively prevent, detect, prosecute and sanction wildlife crime
12
. 
Under the action plan, 
c
ooperation 
will
 be strengthened: (i) between the law-enforcement authorities of EU Member States; and (ii) between the EU, its Member States and non-EU countries
.
·
e
ncourages EU Member States and non-EU countries to t
reat wildlife trafficking as a serious crime
, 
and to 
build
 c
apacity and specialisation 
along
 the enforcement 
chain
 with a view 
to mak
ing
 proportionate and dissuasive sanctioning the norm
.
·
explores the need for, added value 
of, 
and feasibility of new legislative and policy initiatives
 to ensure that EU action against wildlife trafficking remains sufficiently strong and proportiona
te
 to the threat posed by wildlife trafficking
.
·
h
arnesses the momentum of the adoption of the Digital Services Act to 
strengthen
 
action against online wildlife trafficking
. 
Online trade in wildlife has grown rapidly in recent years, making it easier for criminals to operate with lower risk and across a wider market. The general boom in e-commerce has led to increased volumes of international parcel traffic
 in recent years
. The adoption of the Digital Services Act will equip the EU and Member State authorities with new tools to address the challenges linked to online trade, including in wildlife
. The skills and capacities of law
-
enforcement, customs, and other relevant authorities will be strengthened
. Cooperation with the private sector, such as the cooperation undertaken as part of the Coalition to End Wildlife Trafficking Online
13
or the ROUTES partnership
14
,
 
will be encouraged
. 
N
ew tools 
will be developed 
to monitor legal trade in wildlife and to detect and investigate wildlife crime
. These tools include
 
databases, mobile apps, scanners,
 
etc.
·
continues to treat wildlife trafficking as a global issue, ensuring international cooperation and 
coherence between action against wildlife trafficking within the EU and support to action against wildlife trafficking globally
. Cooperation with non-EU countries 
will be strengthened 
through bilateral exchanges, regional networks, enforcement networks, trade deals, and multilateral programmes.
·
increases
 transparency
 in EU decision-making and promotes stronger partnership
s
 
between
 
the EU and its Member States 
on the one side and
 
non-governmental organisations, international organisations and the private sector
 on the other
. The
 contribution of 
non-governmental organisations, international organisations and the private sector
 to the fight against wildlife crime will be recognised and facilitated, including by involving them in policy discussions
15
.
Sufficient financial and human resources
No real progress can be made in the fight against wildlife crime if no sufficient funding is available 
to support the accompanying actions, both at the EU level and in EU Member States. It is crucial that funds dedicated to monitoring the wildlife trade and addressing wildlife crime are: (i) identified in advance; (ii) made accessible to the relevant implementing actors; and (iii) used in the most effective and coherent way.
The wildlife trade should be fully integrated in the relevant EU funds addressing: (i) security and organised crime; (ii) the environment; and (iii) international cooperation/partnerships. In particular, it should be a priority under: EMPACT; the Internal Security Fund; the LIFE programme; and the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument.
Tracking progress
To regularly measure progress, a system for monitoring the implementation of the action plan will be set up by the Commission in cooperation with Member States in the first year following the adoption of the plan. The system will include a light reporting mechanism for the EU Member States and stakeholders, based on existing reporting frameworks. A number of indicators will be identified to measure, as far as possible, the results achieved in terms of the overall impact of the action plan on the wildlife trade.
Conclusion
The revised EU action plan against wildlife trafficking strengthens the ambitions of the 2016 action plan, underlining the continued dedication of the EU to the fight against wildlife trafficking. If equipped with appropriate resources, the action plan will serve as a blueprint for ambitious and comprehensive action and cooperation – within the EU and across the world – to put an end to illegal trade in wildlife.
ANNEX – Table of actions (2022-2027)
Priority 1 – Preventing wildlife trafficking by addressing its root causes
Objectives
Actors
Actions
Indicative timing
1.
Reduce
 consumer
 demand
 for
 illegally traded wildlife
COM, MS, 
EU 
n
etworks of practi
tioners
 and expert groups
16
·
Promote the effective implementation of CITES Resolution Conf. 17.4 on demand
-
reduction strategies to combat illegal trade in CITES-listed species
.
Continuous
2.
·
Implement awareness-raising 
activities 
and well-targeted, social science-based demand
-
reduction activities, targeting in particular behavioural change by consumers in the EU
. S
upport such activities in 
other major destination markets. Give priority 
to 
activities 
that 
address
 
demand for
 wild-sourced reptiles,
 
amphibians, birds, glass eels, African elephants, rhinoceros, pangolins
 
and medicines/supplements containing illegally harvested wild plants. 
Raise 
consumer awareness on how to disti
n
guish between legal and illegal trade.
From 2023
3.
·
Implement
 
initiatives at all levels, within the EU and beyond, that
 support livelihoods and the sustainable use of wildlife and wildlife products by
 encourag
ing
 
and facilitat
ing
 the legal and sustainable sourcing of wildlife products
. This should
 includ
e
 promoting transparent and traceable supply chains for timber
17
and other wildlife products, and enforcing existing traceability requirements, such as 
those
 in the fishery sector
18
.
From 2023
4.
Strengthen engagement of 
indigenous peoples and 
local communities in the management and conservation of wildlife, including through support for the development of sustainable livelihoods in source countries
COM, MS
·
Implement land-based initiatives such as NaturAfrica, the 
flagship EU initiative to support biodiversity conservation in Africa. NaturAfrica support
s
 key landscapes for conservation and development. This will help to create jobs and improve security and sustainable livelihoods, while preserving the critical ecosystems and wildlife that are vital to all
.
Continuous
5.
·
Apply a
 human-
rights
-
based approach to wildlife conservation and management, with the participation of local communities and indigenous people
s
 (for example, through
:
 (i) community-based natural
-
resource
-
management approaches; (ii) ensuring the 
f
ree, 
p
rior and 
i
nformed 
c
onsent processes; (iii) effective grievance mechanisms; and (iv) guaranteed access to information)
.
Continuous
6.
·
Promote the participation of women and 
young people in the management and conservation of wildlife, and ensure a gender-sensitive approach to analysing and combat
ing
 
the 
illegal wildlife trade
.
Continuous
7.
·
Address the wildlife-security nexus by supporting actions in 
non-EU
 countries that: (i) promote social and economic stability; (ii)
 
strengthen the rule of law; and (iii) encourage cooperation between law enforcement, local authorities, conservation partners, local communities
,
 and indigenous people
s.
Continuous
8.
Prevent and counter corruption associated with wildlife trafficking at national, regional and international levels, involving source, transit and destination countries
COM, MS
·
Promote the effective implementation of
:
o
CITES Resolution Conf. 17.6 on 
Prohibiting, preventing, detecting and countering corruption, which facilitates activities conducted in violation of the Convention
;
 
and of
o
United Nations General Assembly Resolution 75/311
 on tackling illicit trafficking in wildlife, in particular its paragraph 
30
,
taking into account the G20 High-Level Principles on Combating Corruption Related to Illegal Trade in Wildlife and Wildlife Products.
Continuous
9.
·
Streamline anti-corruption measures in programmes aiming to strengthen the capacities of relevant actors against wildlife crime, both within the EU and outside the EU (
including among
:
 seaport and airport officials
;
 transport companies and financial intermediaries/the financial sector
;
 enforcement 
authorities; 
and administrative authorities), in line with the UN Convention 
A
gainst 
C
orruption and in close cooperation with 
the 
United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime
 (UNODC).
From 2023
10.
Take 
a 
‘
One Health
’
 
a
pproach into account in the context of regulating wildlife trade in source, transit and destination countries
COM, MS
·
Examine
 
the risks of the spread of zoonotic diseases related to trade in wild animals and products derived from wild animals such as bushmeat.
From 2023
11.
·
Implement targeted measures to reduce these risks 
throughout supply chains, in line with the four guiding principles of the Collaborative Partnership on Sustainable Wildlife Management
19
,
including through projects such as the EU
-
funded 
‘
Safety across Asia for the 
G
lobal 
E
nvironment
’
 
project implemented by 
the 
UNODC
, and the 
s
ustainable 
w
ildlife 
m
anagement 
programme implemented by 
the 
Food and Agriculture Organi
z
ation of the United Nations
20
.
From 2024
Priority 2 – Strengthening the legal and policy framework against wildlife trafficking
Objectives
Actors
Actions
Indicative timing
12.
Set up 
a
 framework for the effective implementation of the EU 
a
ction 
p
lan against 
w
ildlife 
t
rafficking at national and EU level
s
MS,
COM
·
Define and assign clear responsibilites for implementing actions at national and EU levels, and ensure coordination between the relevant actors (for instance
: (i)
 through the creation of inter-agency committees or memoranda of understanding
; (ii)
 through the adoption of national action plans
;
 
or 
(iii)
 
through the appointment of a national focal point)
.
2023
13.
·
Set up a reporting, monitoring and evaluation framework for the action plan at the EU and national level. This framework should align with existing reporting obligations and structures in order to avoid additional administrative burden at EU or Member State level
.
2023/2024
14.
·
Use EMPACT as a key instrument to implement the EU 
a
ction 
p
lan against 
w
ildlife 
t
rafficking
,
 and involve national EMPACT coordinators in the implementation of the action plan.
Continuous
15.
Ensure that 
EU and national policy on 
the 
wildlife trad
e and wildlife trafficking i
s comprehensive and aligned with international commitments, standards and best evidence
COM, MS
·
Actively support and work with international institutions and experts to undertake research and develop/update guidance and identification tools (technical tools including forensic science
 and
 identification guidebooks) on key issues related to 
the 
wildlife trade.
Continuous
16.
·
Introduce and impose proportionate, effective and dissuasive sanctions for wildlife crime in line with the revised Environment
al
 Crime Directive (once it is adopted) and exchange information and good practices to ensure consistency in the application of these sanctions.
From 2023
17.
·
Implement the updated EU guidelines on trade in ivory and monitor their implementation and results.
Continuous
18.
·
Apply increased 
scrutiny to imports of hunting trophies (for example by: (i) exploring
 extending
 the requirement for an import permit for hunting trophies of
 
additional species covered by Annex B of Council Regulation (EC) No 338/97; (ii) work with international partners to update available evidence on the impacts of trophy hunting on wildlife; and (iii) making opinions
 of the Scientific Review Group
 on country-species combinations for importing hunting trophies
 more transparent
)
.
From 2023
19.
·
Explore the need for, added value
 of
, and feasibility of revising existing measures or creating new tools to reduce uns
us
tainable trade in wildlife (e.g. a 
‘
positive list
’
 of species whose specimens taken from the wild can be traded and kept as pets
;
 criminalising all trade in illegally sourced wildlife
;
 or 
requiring the 
registr
ation of
 all animal
s
 and plants brought to the EU
).
From 2023
20.
Involve r
elevant stakeholders in the development and 
implementation of action against wildlife trafficking at the EU and national 
level
s
COM, MS
·
Hold regular stakeholder meetings at national and EU level
s
, including with international organi
s
ations
;
 
relevant law
-
enforcement and judicial authorities
;
 
civil society
;
 the private sector
;
 academia
;
 and national governments.
From 2023
21.
·
Organise thematic sessions of the EU Wildlife Trade Enforcement 
Group with the participation of
 relevant civil
-
society groups, business
es
, and academia.
From 2023
22.
·
Support the organisation of multidisciplinary EMPACT action days 
as part 
of EMPACT.
Continuous
23.
Engage
 
with business sectors involved in 
the 
wildlife trade
COM, MS
·
Organise sessions of the EU Wildlife Trade Enforcement Group with relevant business representatives to 
address
 specific issues (e.g. 
t
raditional 
m
edicine, exotic/wildlife sourced pets, 
the 
luxury industry, hunting tourism, timber, the fishing and fish
-
product
-
trade industries, transport, courier companies, and online trade)
.
From 2023
24.
·
Ensure effective cooperation between CITES management authorities and the national administrative authorities responsible for supervising and enforcing the rules set out under the 
proposed d
irective on corporate sustainability due diligence
21
.
From 2023
25.
·
Develop guidelines on how companies should fulfil their due-diligence obligation under the 
proposed d
irective on corporate sustainability due diligence with regard to
 the
 wildlife trade
.
2024
Priority 3 – Enforcing regulations and policies to fight wildlife trafficking effectively
Objectives
Actors
Action(s)
Indicative timing
26.
Improve rate of detection of illegal activities within the EU, 
and
 address priority risks
MS, COM, Europol
·
Ensure that the process of developing 
s
erious and 
o
rganised 
c
rime 
t
hreat 
a
ssessments (SOCTAs) 
also 
includes an assessment of the threat of wildlife trafficking, based on data and
 –
 where possible
 –
 national threat assessments provided by Member States
.
 
Streamline 
data on illegal trade.
2023
27.
·
Regularly discuss priority risks (and measures to address these risks) in the EU Wildlife Trade Enforcement Group
.
Continuous
28.
·
Develop and use state-of-the-art tools and methods to facilitate the work of law
-
enforcement authorities and detect illegal wildlife activities, for instance including mobile apps for frontline staff. Report on best practices at the Enforcement Group
.
Continuous
29.
·
Implement an EU CITES e-permitting system to: (i) facilitate legal trade
;
 (ii) 
facilitate 
the sharing of data
;
 (iii) 
facilitate 
the identification of false permits
;
 and
 
(iv) 
encourage non-EU countries to develop compatible systems
.
2023/2024
30.
·
Connect the EU CITES e-permitting system with the EU Customs Single Window Certificate Exchange (EU CSW-CERTEX) system
 (the central module of the EU 
Single Window Environment for Customs) to facilitate the checks of EU CITES e-permits by EU customs authorities, thus improving the enforcement of CITES provisions at the borders
.
2024
31.
·
Consider expanding the marking obligation to live species covered by Annex B of Council Regulation (EC) No 338/97.
2024
32.
Ensure that l
aw enforcement
 (including criminal
-
law
-
enforcement 
authorities 
and the 
courts
)
 have 
the 
necessary sectoral expertise to address wildlife trafficking
COM, MS, Europol, CEPOL, Eurojust, EJTN, ERA
·
Organise cross-professional and cross-border training sessions for law
-
enforcement
 authorities
, judicial authorities, and criminal judges where appropriate, including targeted training on
: (i)
 how to improve the quality of investigation into financial flows
;
 
(ii) 
how to target online wildlife trafficking
;
 and 
(iii) 
how to make better use of modern forensic methods
.
From 2023
33.
·
Integrate training on wildlife crime into the national curricula of relevant training academies/schools
.
2025
34.
·
Share data, training materials and case
 
law between Member States, using tools such as the 
c
ase
-l
aw database
 of the European Union Network of Prosecutors for the Environment
, the 
EU
 Trade in Wildlife Information Exch
a
nge 
(TWIX),
 etc.
Continuous
35.
·
Cooperate closely with 
relevant 
organisations, associations, and
 
networks, 
and contribute to projects 
that 
work on tackling and prosecuting environmental crimes
22
.
Continuous
36.
·
Promote and support peer-to-peer training
.
Continuous
37.
·
Encourage and support: (i) the specialisation of law-enforcement 
bodies,
 
judicial bodies and other competent authorities at the national level; and (ii) the pooling of resources, for example through the establishment of dedicated wildlife
-
enforcement units within all relevant law
-
enforcement agencies
.
From 2023/2024
38.
·
Encourage competent law
-
enforcement authorities to support and engage in criminal proceedings led by police/prosecut
ors
 and provide their expertise.
Continuous
39.
·
Promote online public access to case
-
law and court documents and
 
publicise high-profile cases 
(with due regard to data
-
protection and privacy rights)
 with the dual goals of dissuading criminal actions and promoting best practices in enforcement
.
From 2024
40.
Improve cooperation, coordination, communication and data flow
s
 within and between Member States
COM, MS, EU agencies
·
S
et up communication channels within Member States 
between: (i) sectoral/administrative national authorities
;
 (ii)
 
national law
-
enforcement authorities
;
 and (iii) customs
.
2024
41.
·
Ensure a common approach to collecting and sharing comparable, accurate and complete operational information on wildlife crimes. Ensure, as far as possible, coherence with statistical data collection on environmental crime proceedings (including wildlife crime) by law
-
enforcement authorities (police, prosecut
ors
).
2024
42.
·
Systematically share operational and strategic information on wildlife crime with Europol through 
the 
Secure Information Exchange Network Application 
(SIENA)
 
to ensure all the necessary data representing a realistic picture of the threat level posed by environmental crime: (i)
 are
 available to Europol
;
 
and (ii) feed into the EU Serious and Organised Crime Threat Assessment
.
Continuous
43.
·
At national level, issue 
r
isk
-
i
nformation 
f
orms to be shared via the EU Customs Risk Management System for wildlife commodities to improve risk profiling for 
c
ustoms checks/information exchange with EU frontline enforcement officers
.
Continuous
44.
·
Ensure effective cooperation 
and information sharing 
between the 
relevant 
CITES authorities
,
 the Europol national units
, Eurojust, OLAF
 and
 the
 
I
nterpol
 Wildlife Crime Working Group
.
Continuous
45.
·
Establish regular and structured collaboration and information sharing between the EU Wildlife Trade Enforcement Group and the relevant actors under EMPACT
.
From 2023
46.
·
Carry out regular joint operations involving cross-border cooperation by EU Member States, the European Commission (OLAF)
,
 and relevant EU agencies such as Eurojust, Frontex, Europol and the European Fisheries Control Agency. These operations can also be part of the implementation of EMPACT 
o
perational 
a
ction 
p
lans.
Continuous
47.
·
Sy
s
tematically request Europol/Eurojust operational/judicial support on cases related to serious and organised wildlife crime
.
Continuous
48.
 
Systematically address 
l
inks between wildlife trafficking and organised crime, particularly through strengthened action to target illicit financial flows
COM, MS, Europol, Eurojust
·
Support Member States in strengthening their capacity to
: (i)
 
dismantle the organised criminal structures involved in wildlife trafficking
;
 and 
(ii) 
investigate financial flows in the context of wildlife crime
. This support should 
include
 training and raising awareness of crime typologies and risks
23
.
From 2023
49.
·
In line with the EU strategy to tackle organised crime 2021-2025, systematically launch financial investigations in organised crime investigations and, as soon as the financial environment indicates the presence of criminal assets, systematically launch asset
-
recovery investigations and procedures.
Continuous
50.
·
Continue to step up the fight against the laundering of financial flows stemming from wildlife trafficking by supporting and reviewing the implementation by Member States of Directive 
(EU) 
2018/1673 on 
combating
 money laundering
 by criminal law
.
Continuous
51.
·
Raise awareness of 
how 
the 
d
irective on asset recovery and confiscation
24
(
after its adoption and entry into force
)
 and Directive 
(EU) 
2019/1153
 
laying down rules facilitating the use of financial and other information for the prevention, detection, investigation or prosecution of certain criminal offences
25
can be used to fight wildlife trafficking.
From 2023/2024
52.
·
Step up the systematic confiscation of the proceeds of wildlife trafficking in criminal cases, raising awareness 
among enforcement officials 
of available confiscation tools as a dissuasive measure
. E
ncourage the 
use 
of 
the confiscated assets to contribute to conservation measures and the fight against wildlife trafficking
.
From 2023
53.
Increase effort in tackling the online aspects of wildlife trafficking, including through implementing the Digital Services Act and working with online platforms
COM, MS
·
Implement the recommendations of CITES Resolution Conf. 11.3 paragraphs 12 and 13 on wildlife crime linked to the internet.
From 2023
54.
·
Ensure effective cooperation between CITES management and enforcement authorities and digital
-
services coordinators under the Digital Services Act
26
, including by providing sufficient resources to follow up on detected illegal activities (e.g. by setting up internet task forces to support CITES management and enforcement authorities).
From 2022
55.
·
Ensure coordination between CITES enforcement and expert groups and the European Board for Digital Services.
From 2024
56.
·
Develop EU-specific guidelines on the online trade in wild species, in line with the Digital Services Act.
2025
57.
Improve acce
s
s to care for seized or confiscated live animals or plants
MS, COM
·
Follow CITES guidelines for the disposal of confiscated live animals, as contained in CITES Resolution Conf. 17.8 on
 
the d
isposal of illegally traded and confiscated specimens of CITES-listed species
, ensuring that all options for disposal/care are adequately considered and that final decisions are well-justified
.
From 2023
58.
·
Expand networks of specialised rescue cent
re
s at the national level, and share information about the centres at EU level
.
2025
59.
·
Promote cooperation between relevant authorities to reduce unnecessary delays in investigation and litigation in order to minimise further harm to the trafficked specimen
.
Continuous
60.
·
Increase efforts, where appropriate, to effectively reintroduce seized live specimens to the wild
.
Continuous
Priority 4 – Strengthening the global partnership of source, consumer and transit countries against wildlife trafficking
Objectives
Actors
Leading action(s)
Indicative timing
61.
Raise the
 profile of the fight against wildlife trafficking globally
COM, HRVP, MS
·
Regularly include wildlife trafficking on the agenda of high-level 
bilateral and multilateral 
meetings
.
Continuous
62.
·
Continue dialogue with priority countries and regions at technical and political level, 
including
 
as part
 of 
Forest Law Enforcement Governance and Trade
 
and 
f
orest 
p
art
ner
ships
.
Continuous
63.
·
Ensure that wildlife trafficking is treated as a serious crime, including through
 
implementation of
 the EU strategy to tackle organised crime 2021-2025, promot
ing
 the adoption of a protocol covering wildlife trafficking under the UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime
.
From 2023
64.
Ensure that 
EU trade policies and instruments support 
action against wildlife trafficking
COM, MS
·
Include wildlife trafficking on the agenda of
: (i) 
trade dialogues with key partners
;
 and 
(ii)
 
the WTO Committee on Trade and Environment
.
Continuous
65.
·
Propose ambitious commitments to combat wildlife trafficking in future free
-
trade agreements,
 including in the EU’s ongoing support to the strengthening of the African Continental Free Trade Area
.
Continuous
66.
Strengthen t
he capacity of key source, transit and market countries outside the EU to combat wildlife trafficking and
 improve
 cooperation on enforcement between the Member States
, 
EU enforcement actors and key non-EU countries
COM, MS, Europol
·
Train the EU
’
s
 wildlife
-
enforcement agents on international cooperation and the instruments available for this purpose
.
From 2023
67.
·
Build capacity and provide scientific and technical training to relevant enforcement agencies, prosecutors and judiciaries in key non-EU countries affected by
 the
 illegal wildlife trade
, 
including the upgrading of national legal frameworks to enable cross-border investigative 
collaboration 
and 
collaboration between national 
judiciar
ies
.
Continuous
68.
·
Encourage bilateral contacts, peer-to peer training and exchanges.
 
Support informal and formal regional networks outside of Europe such as the Jaguar network in Latin America
 
or the TWIX networks in Africa
27
, and encourage their cooperation with European counterparts.
Continuous
69.
·
Engage with and support the work of
: (i) 
the relevant global networks
,
 such as the International Consortium for Combating Wildlife Crime (ICCWC
28
) and the International Network for Environmental Compliance and Enforcement (INECE)
; and (ii)
 civil
-society
 organi
s
ations and networks, such as the Coalition to End
 
Wildlife Trafficking Online.
Continuous
(1)
IPBES, 
Summary for policymakers of the thematic assessment of the sustainable use of wild species of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services
, 2022.
(2)
UNODC, 
World Wildlife Crime Report
, 2020.
(3)
TRAFFIC, 
An
 overview of seizures of CITES-listed wildlife in the EU in 2020
, 2022.
(4)
IPBES
, Summary for Policymakers of the Global Assessment Report on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services
, IPBES Secretariat, Bonn, Germany, 2019.
(5)
Maxwell, S. et al., Biodiversity: the ravages of guns, nets and bulldozers, 
Nature
, 536, 
pp. 
143-145, 2016.
(6)
UNODC, 
Global 
Programme
 for Combating Wildlife and Forest Crime, Annual Report
, 2021.
(7)
European Commission, Directorate-General for International Cooperation and Development, 
Study on the interaction between security and wildlife conservation in sub-Saharan Africa: summary report
, European Commission, 2019.
(8)
UNOCD, 
World Wildlife Crime Report
, 2020.
(9)
Europol, 
Environmental Crime in the age of Climate Change
, 2022.
(10)
TRAFFIC, 
Overview of seizures of CITES-listing wildlife in the European Union, January 2019 to December 2019
, 2020.
(11)
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, COM/2016/087 final.
(12)
This need for cooperation and coordination applies to
:
 CITES management; enforcement and scientific authorities; customs agents; the police; public prosecutors; the judiciary; health authorities; animal welfare and veterinary authorities; 
f
inancial 
i
ntelligence 
u
nits; ministries of foreign affairs; and diplomatic missions amongst others.
(13)
See 
the
Coalition to End Wildlife Trafficking Online
.
(14)
See 
Welcome to Reducing Opportunities for Unlawful Transport of Endangered Species (routespartnership.org)
.
(15)
All the points described in this paragraph also form the core objectives of EMPACT, a security initiative driven by EU Member States to identify, 
prioritise
 and address threats posed by 
organised
 and serious international crime. EMPACT runs in four-year 
cycles, and
 is a multidisciplinary cooperation platform of Member States supported by all EU institutions, bodies and agencies. Non-EU countries, international 
organisations
 and other public and private partners are also associated
 to it
.
(16)
For example, the European Network of Prosecutors for the Environment, the European Union Network for the Implementation and Enforcement of Environmental Law, the European Union Forum of Judges for the Environment, 
and
 regional networks.
(17)
Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the making available on the Union market as well as export from the Union of certain commodities and products associated with deforestation and forest degradation and repealing Regulation (EU) No 995/2010, COM/2021/706 final.
(18)
Council Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009 of 20 November 2009 establishing a Community control system for ensuring compliance with the rules of the common fisheries policy, amending Regulations (EC) No 847/96, (EC) No 2371/2002, (EC) No 811/2004, (EC) No 768/2005, (EC) No 2115/2005, (EC) No 2166/2005, (EC) No 388/2006, (EC) No 509/2007, (EC) No 676/2007, (EC) No 1098/2007, (EC) No 1300/2008, (EC) No 1342/2008 and repealing Regulations (EEC) No 2847/93, (EC) No 1627/94 and (EC) No 1966/2006.
(19)
See
Collaborative Partnership on Sustainable Wildlife Management (fao.org)
.
(20)
See
Sustainable Wildlife Management
,
 Policy Support and Governance Gateway
 and the
 Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
,
 (fao.org)
.
(21)
Proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence and amending Directive (EU) 2019/1937, COM/2022/71 final.
(22)
Including the European Union Forum of Judges for the Environment, the European Network of Prosecutors for the Environment, the European Union Network for the Implementation and Enforcement of Environmental Law, 
EnviCrimeNet
, and the Successful Wildlife Crime Prosecution in Europe project.
(23)
E.g.
 using tools such as
 the
 Wildlife Trade Financial Toolkit,
https://themisservices.co.uk/iwt
.
(24)
See
Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on a Single Market 
For
 Digital Services (Digital Services Act) and amending Directive 2000/31/EC, COM/2020/825 final
.
(25)
Directive (EU) 2019/1153 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 June 2019 laying down rules facilitating the use of financial and other information for the prevention, detection, 
investigation
 or prosecution of certain criminal offences, and repealing Council Decision 2000/642/JHA, PE/64/2019/REV/1
.
(26)
Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on a Single Market for Digital Services (Digital Services Act) and amending Directive 2000/31/EC, COM/2020/825 final
.
(27)
E.g.
AFRICA-TWIX
.
(28)
Comprising Interpol, the CITES Secretariat, the World Customs Organization, UNODC and the 
Worl
d Bank.

Summary:
Revised EU action plan against wildlife trafficking
SUMMARY OF:
Commission communication – revision of the EU action plan against wildlife trafficking
WHAT IS THE AIM OF THE COMMUNICATION?
The revised action plan aims to strengthen the ambitions of the 
2016 action plan
, underlining the continued dedication of the 
European Union
 (EU) to the fight against wildlife trafficking. If equipped with appropriate resources, the action plan aims to serve as a blueprint for ambitious and comprehensive action and cooperation – within the EU and across the world – to put an end to illegal trade in wildlife.
KEY POINTS
Context and significance
The illegal wildlife trade is a significant global issue affecting all countries, with a wide variety of species being trafficked. This trade poses a severe threat to 
biodiversity
, often leading to the extinction of species and disrupting ecosystems, which can also have detrimental effects on local communities and global health by increasing the risk of zoonotic diseases. Wildlife trafficking is economically lucrative, fosters corruption, weakens the rule of law and is linked to organised crime and terrorism.
The EU’s role
The EU plays a critical role as a hub for global wildlife trafficking. With a reported illegal trade value of at least €4.7 million in the EU in 2019, the EU is well placed to lead global efforts against this crime. The EU has implemented stringent 
regulations
 exceeding the requirements of the 
Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES)
 to protect endangered species.
Achievements and challenges
Since 2016, wildlife trafficking has become a priority for EU policymakers and law enforcement agencies, leading to increased enforcement measures, cross-border investigations and prosecutions. The EU has also taken action in multilateral forums and is engaging in international cooperation. Despite these efforts, challenges remain, including evolving trade routes, increased online trafficking and a lack of specialised resources for prosecution and enforcement.
Revised action plan
The revised action plan, which extends until 2027, addresses these challenges by focusing on the following four main priorities.
Preventing wildlife trafficking and addressing root causes.
 This involves tackling the socioeconomic factors driving wildlife trafficking, raising awareness and promoting legal and sustainable trade in wildlife.
Strengthening legal and policy frameworks.
 The plan seeks to reinforce existing regulations, explore new legislative initiatives and ensure that penalties for wildlife trafficking are proportionate to the crime.
Enforcing regulations and policies.
 Enhanced cooperation among law enforcement agencies within the EU and with non-EU countries is a key focus. The plan also aims to harness the 
Digital Services Act
 (see 
summary
) to combat online wildlife trafficking, which has grown significantly.
Strengthening global partnerships.
 Recognising the global nature of wildlife trafficking, the EU plans to bolster international cooperation through bilateral, regional and multilateral initiatives.
Strategic actions
To achieve these priorities, the action plan outlines several objectives and actions, including:
enhancing multi-agency cooperation to effectively prevent, detect, prosecute and sanction wildlife crime;
treating wildlife trafficking as a serious crime, with a focus on building capacity and specialisation across the enforcement chain;
leveraging the Digital Services Act to address online wildlife trafficking, increasing the capabilities of law enforcement and customs authorities;
strengthening global partnerships to ensure coherence between EU measures and global efforts, with a focus on supporting non-EU countries in combating wildlife trafficking;
promoting transparency and collaboration with non-governmental organisations, international organisations and the private sector.
Resource allocation and monitoring
The success of the action plan depends on adequate financial and human resources. The EU emphasises the importance of integrating wildlife trade issues into relevant EU funding programmes, such as the 
Internal Security Fund
, the 
LIFE programme
, and the 
Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument – Global Europe
.
To monitor progress, the EU will establish a system to track action plan implementation, involving a reporting mechanism for EU 
Member States
 and stakeholders. This system will include specific indicators to measure the plan’s impact on reducing wildlife trafficking.
FROM WHEN DOES THE COMMUNICATION APPLY?
The revised action plan was issued on 
9 November 2022
, with an indicative timetable for actions from 2022 to 2027.
BACKGROUND
For further information, see:
Wildlife trade
 (European Commission)
EU biodiversity strategy for 2030
 – Bringing nature back into our lives (see 
summary
) (European Commission).
MAIN DOCUMENT
Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions – Revision of the EU action plan against wildlife trafficking (
COM(2022) 581 final
, 
9.11.2022
).
RELATED DOCUMENTS
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 
2023/2770
 of 
12 December 2023
 prohibiting the introduction into the Union of specimens of certain species of wild fauna and flora in accordance with Council Regulation (EC) 
No 338/97
 on the protection of species of wild fauna and flora by regulating trade therein (OJ L, 2023/2770, 
13.12.2023
).
Regulation (EU) 
2022/2065
 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 
19 October 2022
 on a Single Market For Digital Services and amending Directive 2000/31/EC (Digital Services Act) (OJ L 277, 
27.10.2022
, 
pp. 1–102
).
Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions – EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 – Bringing nature back into our lives (
COM(2020) 380 final,
 
20.5.2020
).
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 (
COM(2016) 87 final
, 
26.2.2016
).
Commission Regulation (EC) 
No 
865/2006
 of 
4 May 2006
 laying down detailed rules concerning the implementation of Council Regulation (EC) 
No 338/97
 on the protection of species of wild fauna and flora by regulating trade therein (OJ L 166, 
19.6.2006
, 
pp. 1–69
).
Successive amendments to Regulation (EC) 
No 865/2006
 have been incorporated into the original text. This 
consolidated version
 is of documentary value only.
Council Regulation (EC) 
No 
338/97
 of 
9 December 1996
 on the protection of species of wild fauna and flora by regulating trade therein (OJ L 61, 
3.3.1997
, 
pp. 1–69
).
See 
consolidated version
.
Council Directive 
92/43/EEC
 of 
21 May 1992
 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora (OJ L 206, 
22.7.1992
, 
pp. 7–50
).
See 
consolidated version
.
last update 
29.10.2024

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