President Obama Orders Wildlife Trafficking Task Force
President Barack Obama issued an executive order July 1 establishing a task force to combat trafficking of protected species. A press release said the task force will be co-chaired by the Secretary of State, Secretary of Interior and the Attorney General, or their respective designees. Officials throughout the presidential cabinet, USTR, USAID and other agencies, will form the rest of the task force membership. The group will report to the president through the National Security Advisor.
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The order requires the development of a National Strategy for Combating Wildlife Trafficking within 180 days, the press release said. The strategy will seek to stem trafficking and poaching through enhancing domestic and international enforcement and reducing global demand for illegal trade in wildlife. After 90 days, the task force will also make recommendations, if appropriate, to the Strategy to Combat Transnational Organized Crime for issues regarding wildlife trafficking.