Wild fauna and flora: MEPs call for an end to all illegal trade by 2030

Transnational wildlife crime must be recognised as organised crime

Legally binding instrument to stop ivory trafficking in the EU

Positive EU list of species that can be kept as pets

MEPs push for better application of bans and restrictions globally and call on the EU to lead the global fight against illegal trafficking of wild animals and plants.

Ahead of the global UN meeting on the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, from 24 November to 5 December 2025, MEPs on the Environment, Climate Change and Food Safety Committee today adopted a report on the EU’s strategic objectives, by 67 votes to 8 and with 7 abstentions.

To protect individual animals and species, as well as human and animal health and the environment, MEPs want to eliminate all illegal trade by 2030. The objective is to ensure that the only trade in wild fauna and flora is legal and sustainable, consistent with the long-term conservation of species and helping to halt biodiversity loss. To achieve this, the text calls on all countries to step up their enforcement of the UN convention, as current application of the convention’s bans and restrictions on the trade in protected species is inadequate.

Organised crime and wildlife trafficking

To combat the involvement of organised criminal groups, MEPs insist that transnational wildlife crime should be recognised by all parties as serious, organised crime that is often part of a larger crime. They underline the need to combat corruption and financial crime as well as wildlife cybercrime. In addition, they highlight the need to improve the traceability of trade, for instance by means of a detailed EU information system. The EU and its member states must also make it a crime to keep illegally sourced wildlife, regardless of its listing status in CITES.

On species-specific matters, MEPs call for action to combat the illegal trade in aquatic species, such as eels, and to do more to protect shark and ray species from unsustainable and illegal trade. MEPs also propose a legally binding instrument to stop ivory trafficking in the EU.

Finally, MEPs call on the Commission to move quickly to propose a positive EU list of animals that may be kept or traded as pets.

Next steps

The resolution will be put to a vote by the full house during the 20-23 October plenary session.

Background

This year the world wildlife treaty CITES celebrates 50 years of regulating the global trade in wildlife. COP20 will bring together global leaders, scientists, civil society, and stakeholders to negotiate and advance action to protect endangered species against over-exploitation. It will also review the implementation of the convention and decide on updates to wildlife species listings in Appendices I and II, enforcement, and the future direction of CITES. A delegation of five MEPs will attend the conference from 24 to 26 November.