Forwarders declare digital war on wildlife trafficking

THE International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations (FIATA) and global wildlife trade monitoring network TRAFFIC have joined forces to launch a free digital course to educate forwarders about how the air cargo supply chain can combat wildlife trafficking.

Forwarders who undertake the three-hour course, run by the FIATA Logistics Academy, will be exposed to essential information teaching them how to detect, respond to and report instances of wildlife trafficking, explains a joint official statement from FIATA and TRAFFIC.

The international illegal wildlife trade (excluding timber and fisheries) is estimated to be worth at least US$19 billion per year, making it the fourth largest illegal global trade (after drugs, counterfeiting and human trafficking) and covers a broad range of endangered species, notes the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

Wildlife trafficking is dependent on an interconnected logistics and transport network, involving air, land and sea ports, passenger and cargo airlines, shipping companies, express couriers, postal companies and freight forwarders, adds IATA.

This illegal trade poses a significant threat for many endangered animals, with big cats including tigers, as well as elephants and rhinoceroses all at risk. Pangolins and their valuable scales are currently of particular concern, says the air transport association. In addition to the threats to these and other endangered species, the trade in wildlife and wildlife products also strengthens criminal networks, poses risks to global health and threatens nature-based tourism and the communities which depend on it.

“Its high value has a potential corrupting influence on officials and aviation employees and hence may represent a secondary threat to aviation security,” IATA adds.

Commenting on the launch of the course, FIATA L ogistics Academy’s Issa Baluch insists: “Freight forwarders have the ability to be game-changers in preventing the exploitation of their businesses by wildlife traffickers. Awareness and training are critical and our new digital course will make it easy for forwarders to become part of the solution.”

Monica Zavagli, from TRAFFIC, adds: “Wildlife trafficking is a global crisis that impacts the integrity of transport supply chains. We’re thrilled that this new course will empower freight forwarders around the world to easily and freely access critical information on the prevention of illegal wildlife trade.”

Originally published at https://aircargoeye.com on October 4, 2019.