1. Illegal Killing, Trapping and Trade of Birds
Ornis Committee, 05 October 2012 Brussels

2. Background information
Ornis Committee already informed in 2011
Illegal Killing, Trapping and Trade of Birds: still an important issue in many countries
International conference on Illegal Killing, Trapping and Trade of Birds organized by the Bern Conference in Cyprus (07/2011)
Characterization of the issue: BirdLife report to the Bern Convention, Commission's study
Most frequently reported problems:
Illegal poisoning of birds (raptors)
Illegal trapping of passerines
Illegal killing of birds
Illegal trade of dead birds for consumption

3. Initiatives taken at EC's level
Dialogue with BirdLife, FACE and the Bern Convention
Possible support to the EU-TWIX system (a web platform for information exchange on wildlife trade between enforcement agencies)
On-going discussion with IMPEL (network of authorities concerned with the implementation and enforcement of environmental law) to address nature issues, in particular Illegal Killing of Birds
Seminars for judges on environmental crimes (Bucharest 07/2012, Brussels 10/2012, Budapest) – production of a training module
Drafting of a "Roadmap to eliminating illegal killing, trapping and trade of birds in EU"

4. Draft Roadmap
Aim: To better tackle the issue, set priorities, and co-ordinate actions
List of actions to be implemented by Member States, the Commission, or stakeholders:
Monitoring and data collection: Analysing art. 12 reports, assessment of derogation reports, data collection, etc.
Information exchange, training and awareness-raising: IMPEL, trainings for judges, possible communication campaigns, communication on the on-going initiative, etc.
Enforcement and legal aspects: EU-TWIX, identification of legal loopholes, , co- ordinated measures to address identified problems, legal procedure by EC, etc.
Prevention: good use of derogations, alternatives, cross-compliance, etc.
Next steps:
Finalization of the Roadmap
Possibly identification of few priority cases
Implementation of the actions and regular stocktaking