Eu Action Plan against Wildlife Trafficking

9.3.2016

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In February 24th, Heini Kaasalainen, VP of Trophy Free Group attended an event in the European Parliament hosted by MEP Neena Gill on behalf of Born Free Foundation. The focus of the discussion was on trophy hunting and how possible restrictions could work. The event was also preparation for the CITES Conference which will be held in South Africa this autumn. European Commission will participate the conference.
The main issue of the event was Europe’s role as an agent in trophy hunting industry. Europe is known to be a significant link in wildlife trafficking as an importing, exporting and transiting agent. According to Born Free Foundation, more than 114 000 trophies were imported to Europe between 2005 and2014. The most frequent trophies included elephant, rhino, leopard and lion trophies. The European Union is going to acknowledge it’s role and work for a global solution.
As a result, the 26th February, European Commission published an EU Action Plan against Wildlife Trafficking.
Read more here.

Meeting in Brussels in February 2016. Photo: Heini Kaasalainen

What you can do

– Join or support the Trophy Free EU Group.

– discuss about the issue with decision makers of your country and in European Union or other global unions and coalitions close to you.

– Be open and state your stance regarding trophy hunting openly.

– Talk about canned hunting to people and tell them why we need to ban the import of hunting trophies.

– Inform those planning to volunteer about petting tourism and tell them how it is possible to make sure not to support this cruel business.

– Discuss with hunters. Canned hunting is against acknowledged hunting ethics.

– Discuss the topic openly when dealing with travel agencies. Be specific and do not accept the answer if you are told they have someone local to check the project or service.

– If you know any organization or travel agency arranging trophy hunting or providing opportunities for petting and lion walking, share your information with us!