One of those species is lions and it is a BIG step forward for their protection. It effectively elevates lions to Appendix 1 in Europe, closes the "personal and household effects" loophole and will fully ban lion imports into the EU from Benin, Burkina Faso and Cameroon (because the EU has already passed a "negative opinion" on these countries). And all other incoming lion trophies will require import permits meaning that the receiving EU country must satisfy themselves that the hunting of lions in the source country is sustainable and promotes conservation (which we all know it does not!), before the permit is issued. LionAid have been pushing the EU for this change for three years and we are delighted today that this big step has finally been achieved.Sadly, few people understand what has been achieved and the news has not been given any media coverage (to our knowledge) and our blogs about it have raised barely a ripple......
Thank you to Catherine bearder MEP for all her support.
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