(English version) Question for written answer E-000424/20 to the Commission Virginie Joron (ID) (24 January 2020)
Subject: Ban on hunting endangered species
The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) bans all trade of more than 1 000 plant and animal species considered in danger of extinction. These species are listed in Annex 1 to the Convention. Until very recently, as a recreational and ‘non-commercial’ sport, trophy hunting of endangered animals such as rhinoceroses and elephants escaped the ban (1) .
On 19 November 2019, a CITES study revealed that more than 3 000 sea turtles and 91 000 turtle eggs had been illegally traded between 2015 and July 2019 (2) .
Does the Commission support banning the hunting of endangered species or does it side with supporters of permit-based hunting?
What is the current legal state of play with regarding to hunting trophies?
Answer given by Mr Sinkevičius on behalf of the European Commission (12 June 2020)
In line with its policy for biodiversity conservation and the fight against wildlife trafficking, the EU has a strict approach on the import of hunting trophies. International trade (including non-commercial transactions) in hunting trophies is regulated by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and corresponding EU legislation (3).
Commercial trade of the most endangered species — listed in Annex A — is generally prohibited, including for hunting trophies. Species listed in Annex B can only be imported into the EU on the basis of a scientific assessment demonstrating the sustainability of the trade.
Under certain circumstances agreed by CITES, hunting trophies of species listed in Annex A can be transferred between countries as ‘personal and household effects’. EU imports of hunting trophies of all species listed in Annex A can only be authorised if there is a conservation benefit.
In 2015, additional scrutiny was added to the import of hunting trophies of six species (4) listed in Annex B. Imports of these hunting trophies — like all species included in Annex A — can only be authorised if the Scientific Review Group (SRG) (5) agrees they come from sustainable sources. Where such evidence cannot be provided, no import into the EU is allowed.
|(⋅1∙|) https://www.huffingtonpost.fr/entry/trophee-chasse-interdiction-especes-menacees_fr_5d5a402ee4b056fafd0e07d5; https://www.rtl.fr/actu/international/chasse-a- l-elephant-les-excuses-de-juan-carlos-7746862552; http://www.leparisien.fr/societe/des-deputes-europeens-demandent-l-interdiction-de-la-chasse-aux-trophees- pour-les-especes-menacees-18-08-2019-8135412.php |(⋅2∙|) https://www.cites.org/eng/news/new_study_finds_illegal_trade_in_marine_turtles_persisting_in_Indonesia_Malaysia_VietNam_19112019 |(⋅3∙|) Regulation (EC) No 338/97 https://ec.europa.eu/environment/cites/legislation_en.htm |(⋅4∙|) African lion (Panthera leo), polar bear (Ursus maritimus), African elephant (Loxodonta africana, for populations not included in Annex A of Regulation 338/97, for which the import permit requirement already applies), Southern white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum simum, for populations not included in Annex A of Regulation 338/97, for which the import permit requirement already applies), hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibius) and argali sheep (Ovis ammon). |(⋅5∙|) The SRG is composed of the Scientific Authorities responsible for the implementation of CITES from each of the Member States. It is widely recognised, including by the CITES Conference of Parties (6), that sustainably managed trophy hunting, with benefits returned to local communities, can generate incentives for conservation of species and habitats. To reduce negative consequences, the Commission encourages partner countries and stakeholders to improve their management systems, e.g. with regard to the identification of animals to be hunted, to avoid that the strongest individuals are taken from the population before reproducing.
|(⋅6∙|) https://cites.org/sites/default/files/document/E-Res-17-09_0.pdf; this Resolution was proposed by the EU and adopted by consensus at the 17th meeting of the CoP. https://cites.org/sites/default/files/document/E-Res-17-09_0.pdf; this Resolution was proposed by the EU and adopted by consensus at the 17th meeting of the CoP. https://cites.org/sites/default/files/document/E-Res-17-09_0.pdf; this Resolution was proposed by the EU and adopted by consensus at the 17th meeting of the CoP. https://cites.org/sites/default/files/document/E-Res-17-09_0.pdf; this Resolution was proposed by the EU and adopted by consensus at the 17th meeting of the CoP.