UK ban on ivory sales. On 20th December 2018, the Ivory Bill gained Royal Assent to become law. WCS and other NGOs released a public statement welcoming the UK ivory trade ban and urging the EU to follow suit and adopt similarly tough measures. To access the full statement please click here.
Review of EU IWT action plan. In June 2018, WCS presented its position on the implementation of the EU Action Plan against Wildlife Trafficking. The document analyses targeted actions that are of interest to WCS, as well as suggesting opportunities for improvement to effectively deliver the EU’s commitments on this pressing issue. To access the document please click here.
Post 2020 EU budget. On 26th April 2018, WCS and other NGOs released a public statement calling for the EU to increase investments in EU external action to address current and future challenges, including climate change and biodiversity loss. In particular, the EU should step up its efforts to address environmental crime, including wildlife trafficking, fighting corruption and promoting good governance of natural resources and the rule of law. To access the full statement please click here.
EU-Mercosur FTA. On 25th April 2018, an informal coalition of NGOs, including WCS, released a public statement urging the EU to put sustainability, including wildlife trafficking consideration, front and centre of the EU-Mercosur Free Trade Agreement negotiations. To access the full statement please click here.
UK ban on ivory sales. On 3rd April 2018, the UK announced a national ban on commercial trade in elephant ivory. WCS and other NGOs released a public statement welcoming the UK ivory trade ban and urging the EU to follow suit and adopt similarly tough measures. To access the full statement please click here.
EU Action Plan on deforestation. On 7th February 2018, WCS and other NGOs released a public statement urging the EU to develop as soon as possible a formal action plan, including legislative measures, to combat deforestation and forest degradation around the world. To access the full statement please click here.