Customs is regularly confronted with animal abuse and the criminal trafficking of protected animals – dead and alive. Since 1 June 1976, customs officers have also been able to take action against this. At that time, the CITES treaty came into force. CITES stands for the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. The treaty thus applies to both animals and plants. An endangered status can change if conservation programmes are successful. Unfortunately, the opposite usually happens: since 1970, two-thirds of vertebrate animals have been wiped out worldwide.
What is the connection between Customs and Freek Vonk?
Luckily, there are many public and private organisations that work together to track, expose and combat this so-called wildlife crime, such as the Wildlife Justice Commission, the World Wildlife Fund, the No Wildlife Crime Foundation of Prof. Freek Vonk, and of course Customs, the police, and the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority. Customs performs checks at the Netherlands’ external borders with the European Union and the Schengen Area to prevent protected animals and plants from being smuggled into (and through) the country.
How can you help?
If you want to transport a protected animal or plant across a border, you need a permit. For instance, you can get a permit for antique animal products or zoo animals. However, it’s better if you leave products and animals where they are.
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