Transport bosses welcome wildlife trafficking agreement

Measures announced by Prince William will help businesses and the authorities co-operate in tackling illegal wildlife trade

Transport bosses have welcomed major plans announced by the Duke of Cambridge to help the global transport industry tackle illegal animal trafficking.

Tony Tyler, CEO of the International Air Transport Association, described the measures as a “step forward for environmental protection” and pledged to collaborate with the authorities to “put an end to this evil trade”.

His comments followed Prince William’s unveiling of a new declaration, signed by 40 dignitaries at Buckingham Palace, which he hailed as a “game changer in the race against extinction.”

The Buckingham Palace Declaration outlines measures aimed at helping business cooperate with national and international authorities in eradicating the movement of illegal wildlife goods. The 11 commitments include training for front-line staff dealing with cargo and a database of suspected traffickers and routes.

The United for Wildlife taskforce, chaired by the duke, conceived the initiative after a 2015 report revealed that despite increases in seizures of illegal hauls, mutating trafficking routes mean the illegal trade continues to thrive.

Highlighting the need for urgent action, Prince William warned that if current trends continue extinction is just a generation away for Africa’s elephants and rhinos.

He said: “Everyone agrees that losing these animals form the wild would be a disaster for humanity. This means halting this crisis is only a test of our will. The question is can we be bothered to do our bit?”

“By signing this declaration, you, the leaders of some of the most important transportation companies and agencies on earth, are answering with and empahtic, ‘yes’.”

Signatories include Qatar Airways, Emirates Airline, DHL, and Maersk, the world’s biggest shipping company. DP World, owner of 70 ports across the world, also signed up.

In the past three years, 100,000 elephants have been killed in Africa to supply ivory to illegal markets. Proceeds from this illegal trade are being used to support criminal activity, armed conflict and terrorism.