The European Union (EU) remains a significant hub for wildlife trafficking, with commercial entities and individuals persistently smuggling wild species and their products into, through, and from EU Member States. A recent TRAFFIC report, funded by the European Commission (EC), delves into over 3,600 wildlife seizures in 2022, reported by users of the TRAFFIC-managed EU-TWIX enforcement platform.
SCALE OF SEIZURES
Customs and enforcement agencies across the region intercepted a staggering variety of live animals, plants, timber, body parts, derivatives, medicinal products, ornamental pieces, and other illicit wildlife products. Notably, 70% of these seizures originated from Germany, the Netherlands, France, Spain, and Italy.
While some illegal items like elephant ivory and rhino horn still find their way into the EU, the primary commodity seized is illegal plant-derived medicinals, with timber and wood products topping the list by weight. Alarmingly, 83% of illegal medicinal products stem from CITES-listed plants, primarily exported from Thailand, the USA, and Viet Nam.
MEDICINAL PRODUCTS AND ANIMAL DERIVATIVES: A TROUBLING TREND
The challenge intensifies as medicinal products are often disguised as pills, making identification difficult and relying on incorrect or false documentation for detection. Furthermore, only 25% of seized medicinals were accurately described, with loose terms like “extracts” and “derivatives” prevalent in declarations.
The unsustainable and illegal harvesting of ornamental, medicinal, and aromatic plant species often occurs in global biodiversity hotspots, posing a significant threat to ecosystems and local communities. In response, the EU has introduced measures such as the revised EU Action Plan against Wildlife Trafficking and the new EU Regulation on deforestation-free products to curb wildlife consumption that contributes to deforestation.
RESPONDING TO THE CHALLENGE: EU ACTION PLANS AND REGULATIONS
The report underscores the urgency for continued attention to the issue on the EU agenda, especially considering the diverse array of animal-based medicinals seized, including sturgeons, venomous snakes, musk deer, seahorses, leeches, and bears.
A concerning trend highlighted by TRAFFIC is the growing popularity of exotic pet ownership in the EU, with 1,886 live animals seized in 2022, all assumed to be destined for the pet trade.
In response to these challenges, the Commission is piloting projects aimed at reducing the demand for illegally acquired exotic pets through behavioral change interventions. However, traffickers remain agile, constantly adapting routes and concealment methods to evade detection.
In 2022, mail centers and airports emerged as primary interception points for illegal products, while seizures at private premises decreased slightly. Although exports from mainland China into the EU declined, illegal exports from Thailand and the USA increased, indicating the ever-evolving nature of wildlife trafficking.
The trafficking of wild species within the EU and neighboring states remains a grave concern, necessitating vigilant enforcement, interagency cooperation, targeted behavioral change initiatives, and innovative private sector partnerships to curb illegal trade and safeguard global conservation efforts. Anastasiya Timoshyna, Director of TRAFFIC’s European Programme Office, emphasized the collective efforts of EU Member States in combatting wildlife trafficking, underscoring the importance of ongoing legislative commitments in addressing this pressing issue.
