The Role of The European Union in the Fight against Global Illegal Wildlife Trade

Hausarbeit , 2014 , 63 Seiten , Note: A

Politik - Grundlagen und Allgemeines

The European Union (EU) ranks at the top of the list of global importers of wild animal and plant products. The estimated declared import value of the legal trade in wildlife products is worth billions of euros a year, and the extent of the EU market for wildlife products increases annually. The demand for wildlife animals and products is escalating worldwide. The majority of the wildlife trade into and within the EU is being exercised within the boundaries of the law, however illegal wildlife trade still occurs. Every year the enforcement authorities in the EU make over 5000 seizures. This illegal trafficking does not take into account sustainability concerns and may therefore result in the extinction of a species. Factors such as very high prices for wildlife products on the black market, low political awareness and low penalties aggravate the unsustainable and illegal trade. At the level of the EU many significant achievements in combating illegal wildlife trafficking have been accomplished. The biggest example of that are the EU Wildlife Trade Regulations, which implement the obligations for its member states under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). More in-depth national, regional and international cooperation could even enhance the current initiatives in this context. The European Commission is currently working on a plan of action against illegal wildlife trade. This plan is the result of the Resolution on Wildlife Crime that was filed in 2014 by the European Parliament. This action plan will considerably strengthen the EU's response to illegal trade. Another key issue that needs to be dealt with is the sustainability of the global trade in wildlife. The controlling mechanisms implemented by CITES, that have been introduced worldwide, will always have their weaknesses. No permit system will guarantee that illegal wildlife trade will be banned. Criminal organisations always find the weak links in the systems and use them to plan their transits from one country to the other. Political initiatives to cease illegal wildlife trade will only be effective on the long term, if also the demand in the consuming countries will be tackled. The EU can play a huge role in the global wildlife trade by using its legislative powers to endorse particular objectives outside its territorial borders, such as reducing the demand in major consuming countries.

Inhaltsverzeichnis

• Executive Summary
• Introduction
• The EU's Role in the Global Wildlife Trade
• The EU's Legal Framework for Wildlife Trade
• The EU's Role in Combating Illegal Wildlife Trade
• The EU's Role in Promoting Sustainable Wildlife Trade
• The EU's Use of Territorial Extension in Environmental Law
• The (Illegal) Timber Regulation
• The Proposed Due Diligence Regulation on Wildlife Trade
• The EU's Use of Trade Policy to Promote Sustainable Wildlife Trade
• Free Trade Agreements
• The Wildlife Protection Charter
• The Importance of Sanctions in Combating Illegal Wildlife Trade
• Minimum Sanctions for Violations of the EU Wildlife Trade Regulations
• Sanctions for Non-Compliance with the Due Diligence Regulation on Wildlife Trade
• Sanctions for Non-Compliance with the Wildlife Protection Charter in Free Trade Agreements
• Conclusion
• Bibliography

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte

This essay examines the role of the European Union (EU) in the fight against global illegal wildlife trade. It analyzes the EU's legal framework for wildlife trade, its efforts to combat illegal trafficking, and its initiatives to promote sustainable trade. The essay also explores the EU's use of territorial extension and trade policy to address wildlife trade issues beyond its borders.

• The EU's legal framework for wildlife trade
• The EU's role in combating illegal wildlife trade
• The EU's role in promoting sustainable wildlife trade
• The EU's use of territorial extension in environmental law
• The EU's use of trade policy to promote sustainable wildlife trade

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel

The executive summary provides an overview of the EU's role in the global wildlife trade, highlighting the significant volume of legal and illegal trade in wildlife products within the EU. It emphasizes the importance of sustainable trade practices and the need to address the demand for wildlife products in consuming countries.

The introduction delves into the global context of wildlife trade, emphasizing the escalating demand for wildlife animals and products. It highlights the challenges posed by illegal wildlife trade, including its impact on biodiversity and the need for effective enforcement mechanisms.

The chapter on the EU's role in the global wildlife trade examines the EU's legal framework for wildlife trade, including the implementation of CITES obligations. It explores the EU's efforts to combat illegal wildlife trade through enforcement measures and international cooperation. The chapter also discusses the EU's role in promoting sustainable wildlife trade through initiatives such as the Wildlife Trade Regulations.

The chapter on the EU's use of territorial extension in environmental law analyzes the EU's application of this principle in the (Illegal) Timber Regulation. It examines the proposed Due Diligence Regulation on Wildlife Trade, which aims to extend the EU's jurisdiction over the conduct of foreign operators involved in wildlife trade.

The chapter on the EU's use of trade policy to promote sustainable wildlife trade explores the potential of including wildlife protection provisions in Free Trade Agreements (FTAs). It discusses the concept of a Wildlife Protection Charter, which would incorporate due diligence standards for wildlife trade.

Schlüsselwörter

The key terms and focus themes of the text include illegal wildlife trade, sustainable wildlife trade, CITES, EU Wildlife Trade Regulations, territorial extension, due diligence, Free Trade Agreements (FTAs), Wildlife Protection Charter, and sanctions.

• Hochschule: University of Auckland
• Veranstaltung: European Environmental Law & Governance
• Note: A
• Autor: Elise Verdonck (Autor:in)
• Erscheinungsjahr: 2014
• Seiten: 63
• Katalognummer: V284139
• ISBN (eBook): 9783656842828
• ISBN (Buch): 9783656842835
• Sprache: Englisch
• Schlagworte: role, european, union, fight, global, illegal, wildlife, trade