In the European Union (EU), participation in MEA negotiations is complex due to the fact that EU nations generally negotiate as a block, but often are parties to MEAs to which the EU is not a party. For example, the EU is not a party to CITES, but all of its 25 Member States are. With the development of a single European market, there is no customs control between the Member States. Thus, the Community has developed its own system, which can be described as “more than CITES.” These Regulations are directly applicable in all Member States, and require the Member States to exchange information and to cooperate with each other and with the European Commission in all aspects related to the Regulations.
With regard to CITES, the EU has established several bodies to ensure exchange of information among the Member States and between them and the Commission, as well as to ensure effective decisionmaking. The Scientific Review Group (SRG) considers the scientific questions related to international trade in wild fauna and flora. The Management Committee consists of the representatives of Management Authorities of Member States, and it considers legal, administrative, and other issues. The third body is the Enforcement Group which consists of representatives of enforcement bodies of Member States (including Customs, Police, Inspections, and Management Authorities). During the meetings, the Member States exchange views and assist the Commission in formulating common positions.
Coordination among the EU Member States in CITES negotiations involves these various institutions. If a Member State would like to present a proposal or position for consideration at the COP of the Convention, the first question is whether the proposal (or part of it) is of a scientific nature. If it is, then the proposal must first be approved by the SRG and then it is discussed by the Management Committee. [If it is not scientific, it goes straight to the Management Committee.] If a consensus or a qualified majority on the proposal is reached, then it goes through the European Council procedure. First, it is discussed at the relevant Working Party of the Council (WPIEI – Working Party on International Environment Issues) and then by the COREPER (Council of Permanent Representatives of Member States), before it is approved by the Council of Ministers. The position is formalised by a Council Decision, which is published in the Official Journal of the European Union. The position is presented at the COP on behalf of all Member States by the State that holds the EU presidency.