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International Affairs

SCI actively works in the international arena protecting the freedom to hunt worldwide. SCI also works to increase hunting access and reduce burdens for international hunters.

For more information on hunting, please visit SCI's International Hunting - Focus on Africa page

Convention on the International Trade of Endangered Species (CITES): CITES regulates trade in protected species of wildlife including the shipment of hunting trophies. SCI is a leading non-governmental organization participant in CITES and has sent representatives to CITES meetings since 1979. SCI participates in the Conferences of the Parties (CoP), Animals Committee Meetings and Standing Committee Meetings, working with delegates from countries and other organizations around the world.

Before every CoP, SCI produces a Sustainable Use Voting Guide that informs the CITES Parties how they should vote on the Conference’s proposals. CoP18 Voting Guide.

  • The European Federation of Associations for Hunting & Conservation (FACE): FACE is comprised of European national hunters’ associations and other associate members, including SCI and the SCI Foundation. FACE represents the interests of Europe’s seven million hunters and works on all hunting-related issues in Europe.
  • World Forum on the Future of Sport Shooting Activities (WFSA): SCI's participation in WFSA helps magnify SCI's voice in the international community. The Forum is an educational and scientific association, founded in 1997 by more than two dozen existing associations and organizations. WFSA is a proactive advocacy organization representing a substantial portion of the sport shooting community, working in concert with international bodies, national governments and regulatory authorities, for the worldwide promotion and preservation of sport shooting activities.
  • United Nations (UN): The UN has no fewer than five programs dedicated to limiting the ability to import or transport firearms. SCI is a registered non-governmental organization with the United Nations, working to oppose any attempt to limit the lawful transportation of firearms for hunting purposes.
  • Airline Transport: Some of the biggest problems for international hunters are the unnecessary burdens and regulations that impede the transport of firearms and trophies internationally. SCI works with both airlines and governments to reduce the burdens faced by the traveling hunter.
  • Importation of Wildlife: Even though CITES regulates wildlife trade, many countries and the European Union often impose additional regulations that prohibit or limit trophy importation. SCI works around the world to reduce the burden on hunters who try to bring back legally hunted trophies from abroad.  SCI has participated with other international organizations to advocate for hunting and community-based management of wildlife in range countries and to prevent unnecessary restrictions that impede range country conservation success.
  • Firearms Ownership and Transport:  Firearms ownership and transportation among European countries is regulated by the European Union Firearms Directive, which is designed to deter terrorism and criminal activity.  SCI works with FACE to prevent amendments to this document that would unnecessarily penalize legal owners and users of firearms (hunters).
  • Ammunition: Currently one of the biggest threats to hunters and sport shooters around the world is the push to ban or restrict the use of traditional ammunition. SCI is working on multiple fronts to prevent the imposition of requirements that would make it infeasible, if not impossible, for efficient and accessible hunting to continue.
  • Border Governors and Latin American-U.S. Leadership Forum:  These meetings, scheduled to coincide with SCI’s annual Convention, bring together decision-makers from Mexican states and South American countries to discuss issues of hunting, wildlife management, law enforcement and CITES decision-making.

International Talking Points

IUCN: Informing Decisions on Trophy Hunting

Click here for IUCN Decisions on Trophy Hunting.

On The Issues

Recent International Affairs Articles

SCI Europe: Die Hohe Jagd, Salzburg, Austria

By SCI Advocacy | March 5, 2024

It was for the first time that SCI was present in the Hohe Jagd, a fair that attracts hunters, outfitters, manufacturers, clothiers, firearms companies, bowhunting exhibitors, and many others, in total more than 500 from all central Europe. The proximity to Switzerland, Germany, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Hungary, North Italy brings

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South Africa Amends Firearm Moratorium to Mozambique to Accommodate Hunters

By Barbara Crown | March 1, 2024

A previously announced moratorium on firearms from South Africa to Mozambique, Eswatini (formerly Swaziland), and Lesotho has officially been amended to allow the transit of hunting rifles. That is according to an official statement from the South African Police Service (SAPS) issued on February 27, 2024. SCI had warned members

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Updates on Import Bans in Canada and France

By SCI Advocacy | January 17, 2024

On January 8th, Canada’s ban on the import of elephant ivory and rhino horn went into effect.  Hunters are now prohibited from importing elephant and rhino hunting trophies into Canada.  On the same day last week, SCI staff attended the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agency’s (AFWA) International Relations Committee virtual meeting.  At the meeting,

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Best of Summer

By SCI Advocacy | August 17, 2023

Global Opportunities About Right Now By Craig Boddington In North America, mid-summer is the slowest time for hunting. Back east, serious varmint hunters are working on the woodchucks, and in the west, it’s a great time for prairie dogs and rockchucks. In Texas, axis deer are in full rut. It

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Hidvégi Named 2023 Weatherby Foundation Award Winner

By SCI Advocacy | July 27, 2023

International Hunter From Hungary Dedicates Life To Conservation  Béla Hidvégi, founding president of the SCI Hungarian Chapter and an SCI International Director, was recently named the 2023 Weatherby Foundation Award winner. “We at the Weatherby Foundation extend our warmest congratulations to Béla on winning what is considered to be the

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Effectively Combating Wildlife Trafficking: An open debate in the European Parliament

By SCI Advocacy | July 5, 2023

Brussels, 28 June 2023 – European decision-makers, African delegations and NGOs met in the European Parliament on 27 June 2023 to discuss how to best combat wildlife trafficking, which is crucial to halting biodiversity loss. The event, which was hosted by MEP Alex Agius Saliba (S&D Malta), had a strong

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