The sustainable, legal and fair trade of wild species can be a powerful nature-based solution to address the dual challenge of improving rural livelihoods and livelihoods conservation of biological diversity (IUCN). However, there are ongoing attempts by animal rights organizations to reduce or limit the trade in wild animals for ideological reasons. This was evident in the European Parliament's draft resolution on the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030, which called for "a complete and immediate European ban on trade, export or re-export within the EU and to destinations beyond out of the EU ivory, and asked "Similar restrictions for other endangered species".
FACE is pleased to announce that on June 8, 2021, a majority of MEPs (336) voted in favor of an amendment (No. 24) to add the word "commercial" ensuring that the text does not restrict the legal and sustainable trade in wildlife. This key amendment ensures that the existing framework for wildlife trade can continue for important purposes such as science, conservation, education and research. There FACE followed the negotiations on this dossier, which began shortly after the publication of the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 in May 2020.
The president of FACE, Torbjorn Larsson, underlined the importance of this vote, stating: “The European Parliament has sent a strong signal that they shouldn't be there unjustified restrictions on the trade in wild animals, including those on the circulation of hunting trophies ". President FACE expressed his support for the MEPs, who tabled the amendment and voted in favor. He also thanked FACE's international partners, including the International Council for Game and Wildlife Conservation (CIC), the Safari Club International (SCI) and the Nordic Hunters' Alliance for their important contribution.