East Midlands MEP Emma McClarkin receives overwhelming support to her report on tackling illegal wildlife trade

On the eve of World Wildlife Day, the European Parliament has approved Emma McClarkin’s proposal to tackle wildlife trafficking through trade policy, with 579 votes in favour, and only 15 votes against.

The report calls for improvements in the customs performance at all stages of the supply chain, and stresses the need for a coordinated response to this crime, in line with the global trade and environmental regimes such as the WTO and CITES.

Miss McClarkin said:

“I am delighted with the support received here today. In my career as an MEP I have seen very few times a report being approved with such a large majority. This means we are together in the fight against illegal wildlife trade, and that we voted to keep this at the top of our priorities.”

She added:

“Illegal trade in wildlife and wildlife products is a crime with complex roots and wide-ranging dimensions that threatens our ecosystems, and good governance. We must do all we can to ensure that future generations are not deprived of the beauty and diversity of our wildlife.

My report highlights the importance and need to use trade policy to address this problem, through a full-ranging comprehensive approach that tackles supply side issues, and demand in domestic markets and other destination countries.”