Brussels, 25 June 2025 — In response to a parliamentary question concerning alleged human rights violations linked to trophy hunting in northern Tanzania, the European Commission has confirmed that it will not be making any changes to current EU policy on hunting in Africa.
In its formal reply, the Commission stated:
“The Commission is of the view that legal, well-regulated trophy hunting programmes can contribute to species conservation and to the livelihoods of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLCs), when they are part of a clear conservation strategy, are based on scientific evidence and sound governance, and provide tangible conservation incentives to the local communities involved.”
While consultations are ongoing with Member State scientific authorities on whether to include additional species under stricter controls in Annex XIII of Regulation (EC) No 865/2006, the Commission clarified that this process relates strictly to the conservation status of species. Ethical, social or human rights considerations are not within the scope of the legal framework and cannot serve as grounds for restricting trophy imports.
The question was submitted in the context of growing political attention across parts of Europe regarding the role of international hunting. This includes ongoing debates about community-based conservation programmes in Africa, where regulated hunting is often integrated into national strategies for biodiversity and rural development. Some campaigns have attempted to link the issue of human rights to the EU’s wildlife trade regulations, despite the legal framework focusing exclusively on species conservation.
The CIC welcomes the Commission’s clear and science-based position. The response affirms the value of sustainable use as a conservation tool and recognises the rights of rural communities to benefit from wildlife management. Well-governed hunting programmes, developed as part of broader conservation strategies, have consistently contributed to species protection, habitat restoration and community livelihoods. The CIC supports evidence-led policymaking that respects legal frameworks and ensures that conservation outcomes remain the primary focus.
For further reading, the full Commission response is available here (PDF):
📄 Download: European Commission reply – E-001333/2025
For additional context, the IUCN Sustainable Use and Livelihoods Specialist Group (SULi) provides a concise policy brief explaining how trophy hunting, when properly managed, can contribute to conservation and local development:
📄 Informing Decisions on Trophy Hunting – IUCN SULi
Image Credit: CIC / Wunderlich
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CIC – International Council for Game and Wildlife Conservation
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Website: www.cic-wildlife.org
