European Union Regulation on Lion Importation

[KWALATA SAFARIS]

New EU Trophy Import Rules in Effect Despite Procedural Violations

EVEN THOUGH THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION DID NOT FOLLOW ALL MANDATORY PROCEDURAL STEPS FOR RULE CHANGES, NEW IMPORTATION RULES IMMEDIATELY APPLY FOR EU HUNTERS WHO HAVE RECENTLY HUNTED, OR ARE PLANNING TO HUNT WHITE RHINO, LION, ELEPHANT, HIPPO, ARGALI SHEEP, AND POLAR BEAR.

The European Union (EU) has started enforcing rules that make it more difficult to import hunting trophies of these six species into the EU. The European Commission failed to consult and get approval from the European Council for the rules. Despite acknowledging this error, the European Commission has stated that it is now enforcing the rules prior to Council approval. SCI previously alerted its members of the EU’s actions and stated that the new rules could not go into effect prior to approval from the European Council. Because the European Commission has decided to violate its own procedures, we are now revising the information provided in that alert.

Under the new rules, a trophy of any of the six 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 that the animal was legally taken. The wildlife authority has to take into account the views of the EU Scientific Review Group, but does not necessarily have to follow the Group’s advice. These new requirements will apply even to animals taken prior to the adoption of the new importation rules.

What should you do?

• If you have hunted any of these species but have not yet imported your trophies, you should apply for an importation permit as soon as possible.
• Be aware when you are booking a future 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

Via the following link, you can find information related to the changes in EU wildlife trade law: http://ec.europa.eu/environment/cites/news_en.htm

First For Hunters,

President
Safari Club International

 

[Wheels]

Got the same SCI email.

It almost seems the political people of the western world are working in unison on this.

Tough time to be a DG outfitter. My best to all of you that have to deal with this.

 

[Royal27]

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 that the animal was legally taken.

So whenever it wants basically...

 

[bluey]

at least the Europeans are getting the heads up
as dumb as this is

 

[bluey]

every European hunter /hunting organisation ,needs to get it on paper now , that any hunted completed or planned will be under an umbrella of certain import

if this is something that effects you , l wouldn't sleep until its done !!!

 

[Biddleman]

"Scientific advice"
Yeah I'm sure they'll consider scientific advice or evidence. What a bunch of chit!

 

[BRICKBURN]

This one has been coming for a while....

The warning came out in the EU when this one was signed. You can imagine a few folks were choked.

Makes things a gamble to trust what the policy will be when you invest in one of those hunts!

 

[bluey]

so I can start to understand why the rat slipped it in first
self glorifaction !!!!