21 
 
principle79 and taking into account the call of the European Parliament 80. In parallel, the 
EU will continue to fund research on the impact of deep -sea mining activities and on 
environmentally-friendly technologies. The EU should also advocate for more 
transparency in international bodies such as the International Seabed Authority. 
4.2.2. Trade policy 
Trade policy will actively support and be part of the ecological transition . In this 
spirit, the Commission will ensure full implementation and enforcement of the 
biodiversity provisions in all trade agreements, including through the EU Chief Trade 
Enforcement Officer. The Commission will better assess the impact of trade agreements 
on biodiversity, with follow -up action to strengthen the biodiversity provisions of 
existing and new agreements if relevant. The Commission will also present in 2021 a 
legislative proposal and other measures to avoid or minimise the placing of products 
associated with deforestation or forest degradation  on the EU market 81, and to promote 
forest-friendly imports and value chains. The Commission will take a number of steps to 
crack down on  illegal wildlife trade . This trade contributes to the depletion or 
extinction of entire species, is the world’s fourth most lucrative black market and is 
thought to be one of the causes behind the emergence of zoonotic diseases. It is a human, 
economic and environmental duty to dismantle it. 
With this in mind, the Commission will revise the EU Action Plan against Wildlife 
Trafficking in 2021 and propose a further tightening of the rules on EU ivory trade  
later this year. It will explore a possibl e revision of the Environmental Crime Directive, 
including by looking at expanding its scope and introducing specific provisions for types 
and levels of criminal sanctions. It will consider strengthening the coordinating and 
investigative capacities of the  European Anti -Fraud Office (OLAF) to work with 
Member States and non -EU countries to prevent illicit trade and the entry of illicit 
products into the Single Market.  
The Commission will continue to engage with partner countries to ensure a smooth and 
fair transition, mobilising in particular Aid for Trade to ensure that partners reap the 
benefits of biodiversity-friendly trade. 
4.2.3. International cooperation, neighbourhood policy and resource 
mobilisation 
Delivering an ambitious post -2020 global biodiversity framework will require greater 
cooperation with partners, increased support and financing and phasing out of subsidies 
harmful to biodiversity . In the last decade, the EU and its Member States collectiv ely 
upheld their commitment to double financial flows to developing countries  for 
biodiversity82. The EU is ready to continue working with its partners and further 
increase its support post-2020. This will be part of its work on biodiversity conservation, 
restoration, sustainable use and mainstreaming in all development and partnership 
                                                 
79  Under Article 191.2 TFEU, the Union policy on the environment shall aim at a high level of protection 
and shall be based on the precautionary principle.  
80  European Parliament Resolution on international ocean governance (2017/2055(INI)).  
81  In line with the Commission Communication on Stepping up EU Action to Protect and Resto re the 
World’s Forests (COM(2019) 352). 
82  Including international financing where biodiversity is the principal objective and where it is a 
significant secondary objective, in line with CBD COP11 Decision XI/4 and EU and Member States 
financial reports submitted to the Convention on Biological Diversity in 2015 and 2018.