Sittings · Document
Follow up to the European Parliament non-legislative resolution on the EU strategic objectives for the 20th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), to be held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, from 24 November to 5 December 2025
Rapporteurs: Manuela RIPA (EPP / DE), César LUENA (S&D / ES), Antonio DECARO (S&D / IT), Pietro FIOCCHI (ECR / IT), Michal WIEZIK (Renew / SK), Maria OHISALO (Greens/EFA / FI), Martin GÜNTHER (The Left / DE)
References: 2025/2618(RSP) / B10-0450/2025 / P10_TA(2025)0255
Date of adoption of the resolution: 23 October 2025
Competent Parliamentary Committee: Committee on Environment, Climate and Food Safety (ENVI)
Brief analysis/ assessment of the resolution and requests made in it:
The resolution outlines the European Parliament’s priorities for the 20th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, from 24 November to 5 December 2025. It reaffirms the Convention’s central role in ensuring that trade in wild fauna and flora does not threaten species survival and stresses adaptation to emerging challenges such as increased demand, biodiversity loss, wildlife cybercrime, climate change, and traceability deficiencies (para. 1-3). The text calls for precautionary, science-based implementation, enhanced enforcement, and stronger cooperation among Parties, and urges closer alignment with related international instruments, including the Convention on Biological Diversity and the UN Convention against Transnational Organised Crime (para. 4-5, 28). On implementation and compliance, Parties are asked to strengthen enforcement, apply CITES instruments consistently, and use the Compliance Assistance Programme effectively (para. 6-7). Economic arguments to lift trade suspensions are rejected (para. 8). Application of compliance processes and improved traceability systems are requested (para. 9-11). The resolution highlights the protection of whistle-blowers, journalists, rangers, and environmental defenders (para. 12) and calls for deeper cooperation between customs, police, Europol, Eurojust, and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (para. 14). Financial investigations, anti-corruption measures, and asset recovery are to be integrated into enforcement (para. 17-21), supported by greater data sharing and digitalisation (para. 22-23). The Parliament requests clear guidance on ranching for aquatic species (para. 32), improved oversight of the CITES Secretariat (para. 34), and public access to the Union’s positions for CITES meetings (para. 35). Regarding resources, sufficient financial and human means are sought for the effective operation of CITES, prioritising its core mandate (paras. 36-38). The next Union multiannual financial framework should include targeted funding to combat wildlife crime (para. 39). The resolution supports aligning the CITES strategic vision 2021–2030 with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and ensuring adequate capacity-building and cooperation (para. 40-43). CITES is recognised as key to reducing zoonotic disease risks linked to wildlife trade. Parties are urged to adopt a dedicated One Health resolution, strengthen collaboration with health authorities, and ensure animal welfare standards in trade chains. The Commission and Member States are called to develop a coordinated response to domestic and wild animal meat smuggled into the EU as well as integrated coexistence strategies (para. 44-50). The Parliament calls for adopting an EU-wide positive list for pets, strengthening ivory and hunting-trophy restrictions, expanding the TRACES database, and supporting global criminalisation of illegal wildlife imports (para. 51-60). It urges the Commission to present legislative proposals to criminalise the trade and keeping of illegally sourced wildlife, and highlights the need to better manage confiscated live animals (para. 64-66; 72-73). The resolution urges the Commission to develop guidelines to address wildlife cybercrime (para. 74). It supports uplisting of threatened taxa such as sharks, elephants, and big cats (para. 75-84), stricter regulation of aquatic species and corals (para. 85-90), and renewed commitments for elephants, rhinos, pangolins, and vaquita (para. 95-104). Closure of domestic ivory markets and stronger protection of species affected by the exotic pet and trophy trades are also urged (para. 99-108).
Response to the requests in the resolution and overview of the action taken, or intended to be taken, by the Commission:
As regards the request on preventing the circumvention of trade restrictions (para. 24), the Commission continues to support measures at both Union and Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) levels to ensure that trade prohibitions are not undermined by allegedly non-commercial transactions. This work is conducted under the revised European Union (EU) Action Plan against Wildlife Trafficking (COM(2022)581) and in close cooperation with Member States and other partners, including through regular meetings of the EU CITES Enforcement Group.
As regards the request on transparency in the preparation of the EU position for CITES meetings (para. 35), the Commission publishes proposals for Council decisions establishing the Union position shortly after their adoption. Publication of the final Council decisions lies within the competence of the Council.
As regards engagement of stakeholders before and during the meetings of the Conference of the Parties (CoPs) to CITES (para. 35), the Commission has facilitated the participation of Members of the European Parliament in the Union delegation as observers at CoP20 and will provide regular briefings and updates during their participation at CoP20.
As regards monitoring and strengthening rules on ivory trade (para. 27, 53), strict measures were adopted in 2021 (C/2021/9168). In line with the Action Plan against Wildlife Trafficking, the Commission will monitor their implementation by Member States and their results to ensure their effectiveness and alignment with international obligations.
As regards ensuring adequate resources for CITES implementation and enforcement (para. 36, 39), the Commission will continue to strive to mobilise sufficient human and financial resources in support of the Convention’s core mandate through existing programmes.
As regards the request to develop, jointly with Member States, a coordinated Union response to the smuggling of domestic and wild animal meat (para. 48), trafficking in bushmeat is regularly discussed at meetings of the European Union CITES Enforcement Authorities, where Member States exchange information and best practices. The European Union also supports countries of origin, for instance, through the Sustainable Wildlife Management (SWM) Programme. This programme, implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), the French Agricultural Research Centre for International Development (CIRAD), the Centre for International Forestry Research and World Agroforestry (CIFOR-ICRAF) and the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), aims to improve wildlife hunting regulation, strengthen community-based conservation and reduce demand for wild meat, particularly in urban areas.
As regards requests concerning the One Health approach and the reduction of zoonotic disease risks (para. 48-50), the Commission promotes the integration of biodiversity, animal welfare and public health into wildlife trade policies. In addition, the EU supports authorities in non-EU countries, particularly in Asia and Africa, for instance, by targeting high-risk facilities through the Safety across Asia For the global Environment (SAFE) project, implemented by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, the FAO and the United Nations Environment Programme, and the SWM Programme, which supports legal and sustainable wildlife use and demand reduction in partner countries.
As regards the request on Union leadership in the global fight against wildlife trafficking (para. 51), the EU remains a leading actor in addressing this challenge. The Commission works with Member States, Europol, Eurojust, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and other members of the International Consortium on Combating Wildlife Crime (ICCWC) to strengthen enforcement, support third countries and advance the inclusion of provisions criminalising illegal wildlife trade in international frameworks.
As regards the requests on the establishment of an EU-wide positive list for pets (para. 54, 55), the Commission is conducting a study to assess the need for, feasibility and added value of such a list, taking into account animal welfare, conservation and public health aspects.
As regards the request to monitor the implementation and enforcement of the provisions on registration of captive-breeding operations (para. 56), the Commission will discuss with Member States any challenges encountered in this regard.
As regards the request for stricter rules for trophy imports (para. 57), the Commission – in consultation with experts from EU Member States’ competent Scientific Authorities – is assessing the need to extend stricter import conditions for hunting trophies under the EU Wildlife Trade Regulation.
As regards the request to improve traceability and data on wildlife trade (para. 58), the Commission is examining options to enhance monitoring of trade in CITES and non-CITES species, including through the Trade Control and Expert System (TRACES). Any potential adaptations will be assessed in light of feasibility, efficiency and resource implications.
As regards the request to include a new paragraph in the 2025 UN General Assembly Resolution A/79/L.96 on tackling illicit trafficking in wildlife through the criminalisation of imports of any wildlife or wildlife produce acquired in contravention of national laws (para. 60), the Commission notes that the adopted 2025 UN General Assembly Resolution on tackling illicit trafficking in wildlife (A/79/L.96) addresses this point. Its para. 6 calls upon Parties to make illicit trafficking in protected species a serious crime under national legislation, enabling effective international cooperation for transnational offenses. Para. 5, 8, and 9 further call for action to strengthen national enforcement, penalisation, and reporting mechanisms, as well as the treatment of wildlife crime as a predicate offense for money laundering, among others.
As regards the request to address trade and keeping of illegally sourced wildlife regardless of their listing status in the CITES Appendices (para. 64), the Commission is analysing the results of the recent study on the need for, added value, and feasibility of criminalising all trade in illegal wildlife across the EU to determine possible follow-up at Union level in light of feasibility, efficiency and resource implications. The Commission also continues to work closely with competent Member State authorities, Europol, Eurojust, and international partners to strengthen enforcement against wildlife trafficking.
As regards the requests related to demand reduction and the rehabilitation of confiscated wildlife (para. 65, 66), the Commission continues to support awareness-raising initiatives within the Union and in third countries, and funds related capacity-building under the Action Plan against Wildlife Trafficking. According to the first Progress Report on the implementation of the Action Plan (for the year 2023), many Member States have carried out demand reduction and public awareness activities. A pilot project focusing on reducing demand for exotic pets, in particular reptiles and amphibians, is underway. The European Union also funds demand reduction initiatives in third countries, including the project China’s Champions of Change II, implemented by TRAFFIC, which promotes behaviour change and strengthens policy and enforcement cooperation between the EU and China to curb the consumption of illegally traded wildlife products.
As regards the request to ensure coordination in implementing environmental and digital policies (para. 71), the Commission ensures coherence between the Environmental Crime Directive (Directive (EU) 2024/1203), the Wildlife Trade Regulation (Council Regulation (EC) No 338/97) and its Implementing Regulations, the revised Action Plan against Wildlife Trafficking and the Digital Services Act (Regulation (EU) 2022/2065), promoting consistent application across Member States.
As regards the request to address wildlife cybercrime (para. 74), the Commission will prepare guidelines on tackling illegal online trade in wildlife under the Digital Services Act. This work is complemented by ongoing support to projects monitoring online trafficking, such as ECO-SOLVE, and promoting inter-agency cooperation.
As regards the requests related to species-specific measures (para. 85), in addition to the submission of the proposal for listing of all Anguillid eels in CITES Appendix II, the Commission, together with Member States, supports the adoption of a strong resolution on trade, conservation and management of anguillid eel species (CoP20 Doc. 87).
As regards the request to ensure adoption at CITES CoP20 of a resolution on the conservation and trade regulation of croaker (Sciaenidae) species (para. 89), no such resolution has been proposed for discussion or adoption at CITES CoP20 to the Commission’s knowledge. The Commission and Member States will continue to monitor developments concerning Sciaenidae species within CITES and other relevant international fora and will assess appropriate action based on available scientific evidence and trade data.
As regards the requests related to species listings and protection measures (para. 20, 75-108), the Commission, together with Member States, assesses all proposals for amendments to the CITES Appendices on the basis of the best available scientific information and consistency with the Convention’s objectives and listing criteria. The EU position is guided by science, feasibility and the need to maintain focus on the core mandate of CITES.