Forty Years of EU Measures to Fight Wildlife Crime

Abstract This article discusses the European Union’s measures to address wildlife crime within the EU. The first part addresses EU environmental legislation that directly or indirectly affects wildlife. This is followed by a description of the provisions concerning the enforcement of wildlife legislation and, in particular, the act to protect the environment through criminal law. In the third part, the measures are critically assessed and some possibilities are discussed to improve the fight against wildlife crime. A short concluding remarks section ends the presentation.