Published Works

Reform wildlife trade in the European Union

Science, 7 Mar 2024

Wildlife trade is a growing global issue, with the European Union (EU) serving as a key hub. The EU’s regulations are based on the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), but they often fall short of ensuring that all traded species are documented, legal, and sustainable. The 2022 EU Action Plan against wildlife trafficking is a positive step, yet it lacks comprehensive measures to cover all species, both legal and illegal, within the EU’s borders. Expanding the EU-TWIX database and adopting stricter regulations, similar to the US Lacey Act, could help address gaps in tracking wildlife trade and ensuring sustainability. The EU must also require proof of sustainable trade for legally imported species to protect biodiversity and promote environmental responsibility.

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COST Association

COST (European Cooperation in Science and Technology) is a funding agency for research and innovation networks. Our Actions help connect research initiatives across Europe and enable scientists to grow their ideas by sharing them with their peers. This boosts their research, career and innovation.

COST Action GLITSS (CA21133)

The Cost Action GLITSS is a network of scholars, practitioners and civil society representatives working on Globalization, Illicit Trade, Sustainability and Security. It aims at bringing together scholars and practitioners in the area of illicit trade who work in institutional silos and hardly cooperate with each other. GLITSS intends to contribute to create an epistemic community of experts on illicit trade matters.