EU communication on deforestation and forest degradation. On 23rd July 2019, the European Commission published a Communication on “Stepping up EU Action to Protect and Restore the World’s Forests” as a basis for the development of EU action to protect and restore forests and other natural ecosystems. As a response, WCS EU and other NGOs developed a joint briefing providing a set of concrete measures and initiatives, including new legislation, to reduce the EU’s footprint on forests globally. To access the briefing please click here.
CITES CoP18. In June 2019, WCS shared a position statement with all Parties on species and implementation and strategic issues in preparation for the 18th meeting of Conference of Parties (CoP18) to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), taking place in Geneva, Switzerland, from 17-28 August 2019. WCS also developed several factsheets on Saiga antelopes, and sharks and rays. All the documents can be found here.
Post 2020 EU budget. On 14th May 2019, WCS EU and other NGOs wrote to all EU Foreign Affairs Ministers to request their support for an ambitious Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument (NDICI), highlighting that the NDICI should play a critical role in promoting inclusive sustainable development and fighting climate change, environmental degradation, and biodiversity loss globally, in order to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). To access the full letter please click here.
Review of the EU Environmental Crime Directive. On 3rd April 2019, WCS EU submitted comments to the roadmap and proposal to evaluate the EU Environmental Crime Directive, advocating for EU Member States to treat wildlife crime as a serious crime. Please click here to access our response.
EU Parliament election. On 1st April 2019, WCS EU launched its manifesto for the 2019 European Parliament election, calling on the MEP candidates to pledge to support policies that halt biodiversity loss, halt deforestation, stop illegal trade in timber and wildlife, tackle climate change, protect the oceans. To access our manifesto please click here.
Post 2020 EU budget. On 22nd March 2019, WCS EU and other NGOs sent a letter to all MEPs welcoming the AFET/DEVE joint report on the proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and the Council establishing the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument (NDICI) and urging them to support the joint report at the plenary vote on 26th March. To access the full letter please click here.
Belgian Senate Resolution calling for an EU ivory trade ban. On 22nd February 2019, Belgian Senators adopted a Resolution calling on the European Commission to urgently implement a general trade ban in elephant ivory and rhinoceros horns throughout the European Union. To access WCS EU's statement please click here (also available in French and Dutch).
Non-paper on elephant ivory trade in the EU. On 6th February 2019, WCS EU and other NGOs sent a response to DG Environnement regarding the European Commission non-paper on elephant ivory trade in the EU and possible additional measures. To access the response please click here.
Stakeholder meeting on ivory trade in the EU. On 28th January 2019, the EU organised a stakeholder meeting to bring together EU Member States, experts, policy makers and organisations, to discuss whether further restrictions on ivory trade would be warranted at the EU level and, if so, which measures would be suitable. To access WCS's statement please click here.
EU public consultation on deforestation and forest degradation. On 14th January 2019, the EU launched a consultation aiming to gather information and views on potential EU action against deforestation and forest degradation. The consultation closed on 25th February 2019. To access WCS EU’s official response to the consultation please click here, and for the accompanying policy statement click here.