The EU must fight poaching of endangered animals

7-2-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — The EU should lead international support to stop poaching of elephants and rhinos and call on the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) to end secret ballots, the European Parliament said on Wednesday.

Parliament’s resolution, adopted with a large majority, asks CITES to step up its commitments when parties meet in Bangkok (Thailand) from 3 to 14 March.

Several shark species should be added to the list of animals whose trade must be controlled and polar bears should be put in a higher profile CITES category to continue to raise awareness of their situation, MEPs said. The resolution also urged countries to step up the fight against poaching of elephants and rhinos for their ivory and horn.

The resolution proposes to stop the use of secret ballots as a general practice within CITES, as well as to include a provision on conflict of interest.

Funding

CITES parties should step up funding over the next few years to prevent the over-exploitation of wild fauna and flora through international trade. According to the resolution, the EU should renew its financial commitment to Monitoring Illegal Killing of Elephants (MIKE).

Background

CITES is the largest global wildlife conservation agreement in existence, seeking to prevent the over-exploitation of wild fauna and flora through international trade, with 176 parties to the convention, including the 27 member states of the EU.

Contacts

Baptiste CHATAIN
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