Tougher penalties, mandatory destruction of illegal ivory and improved police training. According to a resolution approved by a large majority yesterday by members of the European Parliament, these are the most necessary actions that Europe must take to combat illegal hunting and the killing for profit of rhinos, elephants and other wild animals .
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More severe penalties, mandatory destruction of illegal ivory and improved police training. These are, according to a resolution approved by a large majority yesterday by the members of the European Parliament, the most necessary actions that Europe must take to combat illegal hunting and killing for profit of rhinos, elephants and other wildlife.
“If we don't take radical measures very quickly for stop these illegal practices, soon there will be none of these iconic wild animals left on earth. We must treat this massacre as organized crime, like the illegal drug trade, ”said Dutchman Gerben-Jan Gerbrandy, who asked the European Commission for an oral question on the matter and drafted the resolution.
In fact, wildlife crime is there fourth illegal activity in the world, after drug trafficking, counterfeiting and human trafficking, with an annual turnover of at least $ 19 billion. The European Union is a significant market and a transit route for the illegal trade in rhino horns, ivory and other endangered animals and plants. This puts it in a prime position to stop this trade.
But, since it is a global business and demand is growing especially in Southeast Asia, it is also essential to put pressure on other countries. How? For example, by raising the issue in the EU's political, trade and bilateral relations with key countries, including Vietnam, Thailand and China (which just a few days ago carried out the largest destruction of ivory ever recorded in the country).
"Rhino horns are more expensive than cocaine and gold, but, at the same time, it is easy to smuggle them, the risk of being caught is very low and the penalties, if imposed, are often not enough to act as a deterrent ", adds Commissioner Janez Potočnik, announcing that the European Commission will start a public consultation on the issue next month.
To consult the adopted text click here and go to 15-01-2014
Roberta Ragni
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