EU Elections 2024: IFAW Manifesto

In June 2024, citizens of the European Union (EU) will go to the polls to elect their representatives at the new European Parliament for the next five years. The Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) represent citizens’ interests in the EU decision-making process, and EU citizens continue to urge policymakers to improve animal welfare and environmental protection.

Harmful human activities, such as illegal and unsustainable wildlife exploitation, underwater noise pollution, bycatch of marine species, and deforestation have contributed to significant biodiversity loss. During the next political term, key opportunities to address these devastating practices will be offered by the revision of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive, the implementation of the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030, and the revised EU Action Plan against Wildlife Trafficking as well as by strong EU leadership on multilateral environmental agreements. Nature conservation and wildlife protection are important tools to restore biodiversity and tackle climate change.

IFAW calls on the EU to deliver the following actions in 2024 and beyond to contribute to a better world for animals, people and the planet.