A cross-party group of MEPs led by Tilly Metz (Verts/ALE) has challenged the European Commission over the lack of import permits for most hunting trophies entering the EU, arguing that the current system undermines wildlife protection. In a parliamentary question dated 29 June 2026, the MEPs note that the EU is the world's second-largest importer of hunting trophies, yet most species listed in Annex B to Council Regulation (EC) No 338/97 enter without permits, while permits are required for the same species when imported for other purposes. The question targets a regulatory gap that the MEPs say prevents the Scientific Review Group from conducting non-detriment assessments for most trophy imports, limiting a key safeguard of the EU wildlife trade control system.
the scientific rationale for excluding most Annex B trophies from permit requirements; whether the Commission is open to extending permit requirements to all Annex B trophies; and plans for assessing additional species for inclusion in Annex XIII to Commission Regulation (EC) No 865/2006. The MEPs reference the EU Action Plan against Wildlife Trafficking and Parliament's resolution on CITES CoP20, which calls for extending import permits to all Annex B trophies.
Policy orientations from the question point toward tightening EU import controls on hunting trophies, closing a loophole that the MEPs argue weakens the EU's wildlife trade regime. The Commission is expected to reply within approximately six weeks; its answer will signal whether it is open to regulatory changes or maintains the current differentiated approach. Stakeholders most impacted include EU trophy importers and hunting tourism operators, who could face new permit costs and delays; wildlife conservation groups, who would gain stronger oversight; and EU regulatory bodies, which would need to process additional permit applications and conduct non-detriment assessments.