Answer to a written question – Ban or suspension of hunting trophy imports from Tanzania due to severe adverse human rights impact on Maasai indigenous peoples in Ngorongoro Conservation Area – E-001333/2025(ASW)

The Commission does not currently intend to revise its approach to trophy hunting as outlined in the reply to Written Question E-1394/2023.

The Commission believes that legal, well-regulated trophy hunting programmes can deliver benefits for both wildlife conservation and for the livelihoods and wellbeing of indigenous people and local communities living with wildlife.

In line with the revised EU Action plan against wildlife trafficking[1], the Commission, in consultation with experts from Member States’ scientific authorities, is currently assessing whether the list of species for which stricter import measures in relation to hunting trophies apply (contained in Annex XIII to Commissions Regulation (EC) No 865/2006[2]) should be revised to include new species.

However, the applicable EU legislation governing trade in wildlife[3], including hunting trophies, does not provide a basis for suspension of trade for reasons other than those related to the adverse impact on the conservation status of the species in question.

The EU has repeatedly stated that all measures related to the Maasai communities in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area need to be adopted in compliance with the rule of law and the respect for human rights, providing compensation and fair, transparent sharing of the revenue from natural resources.

The EU strongly encourages the conduct of genuinely inclusive dialogue among stakeholders in order to identify consensual and fair solutions to the issues at stake.

Guaranteeing both biodiversity conservation and human rights protection calls for an inclusive dialogue involving all the relevant partners.

• [1] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=COM%3A2022%3A581%3AFIN&qid=1667989438184 Action 18.
• [2] Commission Regulation (EC) No 865/2006 of 4 May 2006 laying down detailed rules concerning the implementation of Council Regulation (EC) No 338/97 on the protection of species of wild fauna and flora by regulating trade therein, OJ L 166, 19.6.2006, p. 1-69.
• [3] Council Regulation (EC) No 338/97 of 9 December 1996 on the protection of species of wild fauna and flora by regulating trade therein, OJ L 61, 3.3.1997, p. 1-69.