Answer given by Mr Sinkevičius on behalf of the European Commission
21.3.2024
The Commission is aware of illegal trade in corals. All corals are listed in Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES)[1] since 1989 and Annex B of Council Regulation (EC) No 338/97[2] of 9 December 1996.
On this basis, trade in corals is allowed, subject to conditions laid down in this regulation. Unlawful wildlife trade is a criminal offence under Directive 2008/99/EC[3] which will be replaced by the new Environmental Crime Directive[4].
Member States have a primary responsibility to monitor the application of the relevant legal provisions and to take the necessary steps for enforcement.
In 2022 over 400 seizure records involving 3088 specimens and an additional 19 kg of live coral and coral rock and coral parts and derivatives were reported by Member States.
Under Regulation No 338/97 the CITES management, scientific and enforcement authorities in the Member States regularly exchange information and share best practices in expert groups[5]. Under the EU Action Plan against Wildlife Trafficking (EU WAP) the cooperation between the relevant authorities should be further strengthened[6].
The Commission will raise the issue of illegal trade in corals in its discussions with the Member States’ competent authorities in the relevant groups.
Moreover, in line with the EU WAP, the Commission will also encourage Member States to conduct demand reduction initiatives. Awareness raising and citizen engagement is also part of the EU Mission ‘Restore our Ocean and Waters’[7].
In this framework the EU has issued a call to a wide range of stakeholders[8], in which the focus on the topic of fighting illegal trade in corals features as an important aspect of ocean governance.
- [1] https://cites.org/sites/default/files/eng/app/2023/E-Appendices-2023-11-25.pdf
- [2] Council Regulation (EC) No 338/97 of 9 December 1996 on the protection of species of wild fauna and flora by regulating trade therein, OJ L 61, 3.3.1997, p. 1-69.
- [3] Directive 2008/99/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 19 November 2008 on the protection of the environment through criminal law, OJ L 328, 6.12.2008, p. 28-37.
- [4] https://data.consilium.europa.eu/doc/document/ST-16069-2023-INIT/en/pdf
- [5] https://environment.ec.europa.eu/topics/nature-and-biodiversity/wildlife-trade_en
- [6] Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions: Revision of the EU action plan against wildlife trafficking, COM/2022/581 final.
- [7] https://research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/funding/funding-opportunities/funding-programmes-and-open-calls/horizon-europe/eu-missions-horizon-europe/restore-our-ocean-and-waters_en
- [8] https://ec.europa.eu/eusurvey/runner/MissionOceanWatersCharter