Committee Approves Coons-Flake Wildlife Trafficking Bill

Press Release

U.S. Sens. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.) and Chris Coons (D-Del.), both members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today issued the following statements after the committee voted to approve their END Wildlife Trafficking Act (S. 2385), a bill to combat the rapidly growing crisis of wildlife trafficking.

"It's going to take more than a one-size-fits-all approach to end wildlife trafficking," said Flake. "This bill will address threats posed by poachers and traffickers on a country-by-country basis, and it will send a message to poachers, traffickers, and to those who create the demand fueling these horrific acts that the United States Congress takes this matter seriously."

"Demand for wildlife products has spiked in recent years, causing illegal wildlife trafficking to grow at an alarming rate," said Coons. "Wildlife trafficking is not just an environmental challenge, but a multi-billion dollar industry that fuels well organized criminal networks. It is a growing crisis that demands action now, and I'm pleased this committee came together to pass our legislation that will use an interagency approach to address this problem from all sides. We cannot wait any longer to use every tool at our disposal to curb this global crisis."

The END Wildlife Trafficking Act supports the ongoing work of the Presidential Task Force on Combating Wildlife Trafficking and directs the Task Force to coordinate relevant agencies and U.S. missions in working with countries experiencing wildlife crime to develop strategic plans with recommendations for how each country can combat threats to wildlife.

The END Wildlife Trafficking Act would:

Require an interagency approach in working with the governments of countries affected by wildlife poaching and trafficking on an analysis of the threats each country faces, and recommendations on how to address these threats, including coordination with non-governmental organizations;
Authorize the Secretary of State, the USAID Administrator, and other relevant agency heads to engage in efforts to address poaching and wildlife trafficking problems, including encouraging community conservation programs;
Include strategic reviews to monitor progress made on stemming the tide of wildlife trafficking in countries with significant poaching, trafficking, or demand for illegal wildlife products.
Require annual reporting on how all taxpayer dollars appropriated to fight wildlife trafficking are being spent, to include the costs of the administration of the Task Force.

Background: On Feb. 23, Flake stressed the importance of efforts to curb wildlife trafficking and poaching in Africa at a Foreign Relations Committee hearing with Secretary of State John Kerry. Video of the exchange can be viewed here.

In February, Flake, who serves as the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Africa and Global Health Policy, led a congressional delegation to Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Botswana, and Namibia to investigate the harmful effects that wildlife trafficking and poaching.

On Dec. 16, 2015, Flake and Coons wrote an op-ed for CNN to highlight that wildlife trafficking is not just a conservation concern, it is a national security concern as well.

Coons and Flake first introduced the END Wildlife Trafficking Act on Dec. 10, 2015

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