EPO Participates in the 34th CITES Animals Committee Meeting in Geneva

Geneva, 14–18 July 2026: EPO is participating this week in the 34th meeting of the CITES Animals Committee (AC34), reaffirming its commitment to promoting science-based policymaking, sustainable wildlife trade and responsible pet ownership at the international level.

EPO is represented by Dr. Matthew Bond (Ornamental Aquatic Trade Association – OATA), representing EPO’s UK member, and Nathalie Gamain, EPO Secretary General. Throughout the meeting, EPO will engage with Parties, intergovernmental organisations, scientific experts and fellow observers on a range of issues of strategic importance for the European pet sector.

EPO is also pleased to acknowledge the participation of its President, Svein A. Fosså, who is attending the meeting under his capacity as Vice President of Ornamental Fish International (OFI). This year’s meeting marks an exceptional milestone: his 26th consecutive year of participation in CITES meetings—highlighting more than two decades of dedication to international conservation and the sustainable trade of ornamental aquatic species.

Contributing Expertise to Key Discussions

As the voice of the pet sector at European level, EPO has developed a comprehensive position paper addressing several agenda items under discussion during AC34.

 The organisation will actively follow and contribute to discussions on topics including:

• The role of CITES in reducing the risk of future zoonotic diseases, supporting continued collaboration between CITES and the One Health Quadripartite partners (WHO, WOAH, FAO and UNEP), while sharing the pet sector’s expertise on animal transport standards and responsible trade. 
• Sustainable use of wild species and non-detriment findings (NDFs), including discussions relating to the development of practical and science-based approaches for CITES implementation. 
• Coral conservation and trade, where EPO continues to advocate for balanced, science-based solutions and greater dialogue to address the challenges affecting the ornamental aquatic sector, particularly regarding EU import restrictions on certain Australian coral species. 
• Identification and traceability of CITES-listed species, supporting practical identification tools while encouraging the exploration of alternative marking techniques for small-bodied species such as fish, amphibians and reptiles. 
• Trade in specimens not of wild source, encouraging practical improvements to existing CITES provisions and supporting constructive stakeholder engagement during forthcoming technical discussions. 
• Aquatic species, including coral, seahorses and ranching of aquatic species, where EPO and OFI continue to offer their scientific and technical expertise to support future intersessional work. 
• Conservation of amphibians, where EPO has expressed its willingness to contribute expertise concerning species commonly kept within the responsible pet trade. 

A Constructive Partner for Science-Based Decision-Making

EPO believes that effective implementation of CITES relies on close cooperation between governments, scientists, conservation organisations and responsible industry stakeholders.

Representing thousands of businesses across Europe through its national member associations and entities from the pet sector, EPO is committed to contributing practical expertise and scientific knowledge to support conservation objectives while ensuring that international trade remains sustainable, responsible and proportionate. 

Throughout AC34, EPO will continue to engage constructively with Parties and observers, advocating for evidence-based decisions that support biodiversity conservation, animal welfare and responsible international trade.