UN agency launches project to combat trade in illegal chemicals, endangered species

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) today launched an effort to improve coordinated intelligence gathering and information exchange to help customs officers beat illegal trade in hazardous wastes, chemicals and endangered species.

The UNEP-led “Green Customs” initiative is an Internet web site designed to give customs officers and other interested organizations some extra back-up in the ongoing battle to tackle the multi-billion dollar illegal trade in ozone depleting substances, toxic chemicals, hazardous wastes and endangered species.

“The smuggling of ivory, tiger bones and rare orchids are a direct threat to species survival. The illegal traffic of toxic waste negatively impacts on the environment and health of thousands in the developing world,” UNEP Executive Director Klaus Toepfer said. “Building the capacity of customs officials, who are on the front line of every country’s efforts to combat this illegal trade, is vital.”

Thanks to the UNEP initiative, customs officers and organization can now access information online on upcoming environmental training, training presentations and best practice codes to tackle environmental crime, an increasingly lucrative business.

“By sharing expertise, experience and infrastructure, multilateral environmental agreements are working together to present a coordinated customs training front,” Mr. Toepfer said in Brussels, where he signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the World Customs Organization (WCO) to foster stronger ties between the two organizations on environmental enforcement issues.