Enforcement Group

Council Regulation (EC) No 338/97 establishes an Enforcement Group consisting of representatives of each of the Member State's authorities which have responsibility for monitoring compliance with the Regulations, such as Customs, Police and Wildlife Inspectorates. The Group is chaired by the European Commission.

The task of the group is to monitor enforcement policy and practice in the EU Member States and make recommendations to improve the enforcement of wildlife trade legislation. It also catalyses the exchange of information, experience and expertise on wildlife trade control related topics between the Member States (trends in illegal trade, significant seizures and investigations), including sharing of intelligence information and establishing and maintaining databases.

Opinions of the Enforcement Group are conveyed to the Committee by the Commission.

The group meets on average twice a year in Brussels.