The European Union has updated its wildlife trade restrictions through a new Regulation that controls the import of specific wild fauna and flora specimens into the EU territory.
The regulation introduces a detailed prohibition list for various species, organized in two main annexes. It covers a wide range of wildlife categories including mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, arthropods, mollusks, cnidarians, and flora.
Notable changes in this version include the lifting of import restrictions for several species:
- Two chameleon species from Cameroon (Trioceros montium and Trioceros quadricornis)
- Feae’s chameleon from Equatorial Guinea
- Multiple species from Madagascar, including three types of Mantella frogs and the Gottlebe’s narrow-mouthed frog
- Three monitor lizard species from Indonesia (Dumeril’s, Peach-throated, and Salvadori’s monitor lizards)
The regulation specifies different types of restrictions based on:
- The source of specimens (distinguishing between wild-caught and ranched animals)
- Countries of origin for each species
- Specific conditions such as size limits for certain species
Review of each of legal acts published today:
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/6 of 6 January 2025 prohibiting the introduction into the Union of specimens of certain species of wild fauna and flora in accordance with Council Regulation (EC) No 338/97 on the protection of species of wild fauna and flora by regulating trade therein and repealing Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/2770
This Regulation establishes restrictions on the introduction of certain species of wild fauna and flora into the European Union. It prohibits the import of specific specimens from designated countries of origin to protect endangered species and regulate wildlife trade. The act replaces the previous Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/2770.The Regulation consists of three articles and a detailed Annex. Article 1 establishes the general prohibition, Article 2 repeals the previous regulation, and Article 3 sets the entry into force. The Annex is divided into two main sections: specimens included in Annex A and Annex B to Regulation (EC) No 338/97, listing specific species with their source coverage, specimen types, and countries of origin.The most significant changes compared to the previous regulation include the removal of restrictions for several species: Trioceros montium and Trioceros quadricornis from Cameroon, Trioceros feae from Equatorial Guinea, and several species from Madagascar (Mantella cowanii, Mantella crocea, Mantella viridis, Scaphiophryne gottlebei) and Indonesia (Varanus dumerilii, Varanus jobiensis, Varanus salvadorii).Key provisions include:
- Comprehensive lists of prohibited specimens categorized by species classification (mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, arthropods, mollusks, cnidarians, and flora)
- Specific restrictions based on specimen source (wild or ranched)
- Detailed country-specific prohibitions
- Special conditions for certain specimens (such as size restrictions for some species)
