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THIS AFFECTS EU HUNTERS WHO HAVE RECENTLY HUNTED, OR ARE PLANNING TO HUNT, ANY OF THE FOLLOWING: WHITE RHINO, LION, ELEPHANT, HIPPO, ARGALI SHEEP, POLAR BEAR
The EU is proposing to make it more difficult to import hunting trophies of these species into the EU. The rules are not final, but it is expected that they will take effect as described in this note, probably around the end of 2014 or beginning of 2015. Under the new rules, a trophy of any of these species cannot be imported into an EU country without an import certificate issued by the wildlife authority of the importing country.
The importing country will refuse to issue a certificate if it considers on scientific advice that the hunt was harmful to the species, or that the country where it was hunted has failed to confirm it was legally taken. The wildlife authority has to take into account the views of the EU Scientific Review Group, which are published from time to time.
What should you do?
The EU is proposing to make it more difficult to import hunting trophies of these species into the EU. The rules are not final, but it is expected that they will take effect as described in this note, probably around the end of 2014 or beginning of 2015. Under the new rules, a trophy of any of these species cannot be imported into an EU country without an import certificate issued by the wildlife authority of the importing country.
The importing country will refuse to issue a certificate if it considers on scientific advice that the hunt was harmful to the species, or that the country where it was hunted has failed to confirm it was legally taken. The wildlife authority has to take into account the views of the EU Scientific Review Group, which are published from time to time.
What should you do?
- If you have hunted these species but have not yet received the trophies, you should contact your outfitter to see if they can be shipped to arrive before these rules come into force. It may be best to appoint a shipping agent who is watching for these rules to come into force, as if the shipment arrives after the rules come into force, it might have to be returned to the country of the hunt to await the permit decision, resulting in extra shipping costs;
- Be aware when you are booking a hunt for these species that you will not know for certain in advance whether you will be able to import the trophy;
- Contact the wildlife authority in your country before the hunt and before the shipment of the trophy so you understand whether you are likely to get an import permit, and what the procedures are. Contact details can be found here: http://ec.europa.eu/environment/cites/links_national_en.htm
