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Introduction

Are you involved in wildlife trade?

Do you seek information on European Community (EC) Wildlife Trade Regulations and your obligations concerning CITES?

If so, you have found the right website!

eu-wildlifetrade.org has been designed to provide up-to-date and tailor-made information to commercial European Union (EU) wildlife trade sectors as well as travellers and other people that have an interest in wildlife trade and seek information that enables them to comply with European Community Regulations. Webpages are available in 22 official languages of the European Union and detailed PDF factsheets on specific topics are available in the official working languages of the European Commission (English, French and German). The information on this website clearly outlines legal obligations with regard to trade in species of wild fauna and flora as well as conservation-related reasons that prompted the adoption of these regulatory measures.

Important aspects of CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) and the EC Wildlife Trade Regulations are highlighted and links with other sources of information are offered. These links will lead you to awareness materials, national legislation and contacts that are relevant to the regulation of wildlife trade into, from and inside the EU. Although this website is primarily intended to provide information on conservation-related wildlife trade legislation, it also provides an introduction to other relevant laws relating to animal welfare, human health etc.

This website was prepared by TRAFFIC for the European Commission with the kind advice of the CITES Management Authorities of the EU Member States and was last updated in February 2010.

This information is provided by way of guidance only and is not a definite interpretation of Community Law. Only the European Court of Justice is competent to provide a definite interpretation of Community Law.

Background

Millions of live animals and plants are imported into the EU each year, including parrots from South America, chameleons from Africa and orchids from South East Asia. In addition, a large variety of wildlife products such as shoes or bags made of reptile skin, timber products (such as furniture) or dried plants used as medicines constantly supply the high demand for these commodities by EU consumers. Some species of fauna and flora found in trade are subject to strict legal measures that were adopted to monitor and control all commercial transactions. CITES, EC Wildlife Trade Regulations and national laws constitute a comprehensive set of legal texts that regulate trade in wildlife around the world and cover related issues extending to live animal  welfare, the introduction of invasive alien species into the wild in the EU, and human, veterinary and plant health issues relating to exotic organisms introduced in the EU.
People involved in wildlife trade, such as importers and exporters or retailers, need to be kept informed of up-to-date provisions of EC Wildlife Trade Regulations. They need to be aware of their legal obligations and must be able to access information relevant to their business in an easy and simple way.

Being aware and informed of legal requirements applicable to wildlife trade is the first step towards

  • Sustainable wildlife trade that helps to ensure the conservation of nature and to protect your business,
  • Satisfying customers with your products and services, and reassuring them that the wildlife species they purchase have been legally obtained, and
  • A legal business that complies with EU and national wildlife trade provisions and prevents you from being fined, having shipments seized and becoming a threat to biodiversity.

    To become an informed and responsible wildlife trader, please select from the menu at the top of the page.

 

 The LEGISLATION webpage covers:

  • International legislation (e.g. EC Wildlife Trade Regulations, CITES and other relevant agreements) that is applicable to trade in and use of wild animals and plants, including the keeping of live specimens;
  • National laws adopted by the 27 EU Member States to implement and enforce CITES as well as EC Wildlife Trade Regulations or deal with other related issues such as species conservation.

    These texts are available in PDF format and can be downloaded by using Acrobat Reader, the free viewer for PDF files available from Adobe Systems.

 The TOPICS webpage presents more specific and technical issues such as:

  • Permits, Certificates and Notifications needed for trade into, from and inside the EU;

  • Welfare, Health and Invasive Species issues applicable to wild animals and plants in trade;

  • Captive Breeding and Artificial Propagation: definitions and regulations;

  • Marking and Labelling of EU and CITES regulated wildlife specimens;

  • Trade in Personal Effects and Household Goods;

  • Trade in and introduction of Wildlife Souvenirs;

  • Trade in Caviar and labelling requirements for caviar containers
LINKS AND RESOURCES


The LINKS AND RESOURCES webpage provides you with a list of links to international, European and national websites and resources (materials, contacts, etc.) related to wildlife trade and nature conservation.
FAQ


The FAQ page contains a list of Frequently Asked Questions and answers to these.


Through the CONTACT US webpage

You can contact TRAFFIC or the European Commission to request specific advice and give us your feedback on the website, including gaps you've identified or improvements to make.