U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Seeks Nominations for Advisory Council on Wildlife Trafficking

The U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service is announcing the establishment of an Advisory Council on Wildlife Trafficking (Council) under the Federal Advisory Committee Act and seeking nominations for Council members. On July 1, 2013, President Obama issued an Executive Order (EO) to enhance coordination of U. S. Government efforts to combat wildlife trafficking and assist foreign governments with capacity building. The EO calls on the Secretary of the Interior, in consultation with the Secretary of State and the Attorney General, to establish an eight-member Council with representation from the private sector, former government officials, non-governmental organizations, and other experts on wildlife trade. **

The Council will serve as an advisory body to a Presidential Task Force consisting of senior-level representatives from across the federal government. The Council will provide advice and recommendations to the Task Force on a multi-pronged approach to wildlife trafficking, including anti-poaching activities, law enforcement efforts and consumer demand reduction. The Service will provide administrative and logistical support to the Council on behalf of the Department of the Interior.

The call for nominations publishes today in the Federal Register and remains open until August 13, 2013. The Federal Register notice is available online at http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2013-07-29/pdf/2013-18194. pdf.

For the full text of the Executive Order on Combating Wildlife Trafficking, visit: http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2013/07/01/executive-order-combating-wildlife-trafficking.

For more information on U. S. Efforts to Combat Wildlife Trafficking, visit: http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2013/07/01/fact-sheet-us-efforts-combat-wildlife-trafficking