Key data
| Regulation | Resolution of July 16, 2026, from the General Directorate of Biodiversity, Forests and Desertification — revision of the TIFIES Plan |
|---|---|
| Publication | August 11, 2026 |
| Entry into force | August 11, 2026 |
| Approval | Agreement of the Council of Ministers of June 29, 2026 |
| Affected parties | Public administrations, companies, NGOs and citizens involved in biodiversity conservation |
| Category | Agriculture and Fisheries / Biodiversity |
| Year | 2026 (aligned with the EU Action Plan in force until 2027) |
| Budget impact | No increase in spending or additional personnel allocations |
| Ministries involved | Six ministries and the State Attorney General's Office |
Companies with activities linked to biodiversity, wildlife and flora trade, international logistics or cooperation with Africa and Ibero-America must be aware of this plan: Spain is identified as a country of entry and relevant transit for illegal wildlife species, which intensifies surveillance at borders, ports and supply chains. The revision of the TIFIES Plan, approved by the Council of Ministers on June 29, 2026 and published on August 11, updates the national framework to align it with the EU Action Plan against wildlife trafficking, revised in 2022 and in force until 2027.
What does this regulation establish?
The TIFIES Plan (Spanish Action Plan Against Illegal Trafficking and International Poaching of Wild Species) is structured around three strategic priorities:
| Priority | Main content |
|---|---|
| 1. Prevention and involvement of civil society | Awareness, training and active collaboration of NGOs, academic sector and private companies as collaborating entities |
| 2. Strengthening the legal framework | Improvement of national legal instruments to prosecute illegal trafficking and international poaching of wild species |
| 3. International cooperation | Strengthening collaboration with third countries, with special attention to Ibero-America and Africa, given Spain's geostrategic position |
The plan updates the previous version to align with the EU Action Plan revision of 2022, in force until 2027. Coordination falls to the General Directorate of Biodiversity, Forests and Desertification, with the participation of six ministries and the State Attorney General's Office. All measures will be implemented with existing resources of the competent administrations, without additional allocations.
Spain is explicitly identified as a country of entry and transit for illegal wildlife species, due to its geographical position and its historical and commercial links with Ibero-America and Africa. This recognition implies greater inspection attention at borders, airports and maritime ports.
Economic and operational impact
The plan does not generate new direct costs for public administrations: it is implemented with existing resources and without increase in spending or personnel. For private companies, the impact is mainly operational and reputational:
- Logistics and international transport companies: greater scrutiny in customs controls, especially on routes originating from or transiting through Africa and Ibero-America.
- Wildlife and flora trade sector companies: strengthening of the legal framework that may result in more frequent inspections and stricter documentary requirements.
- NGOs and academic sector: formal recognition as collaborating entities, which opens avenues for participation in programs and projects funded by administrations.
- Private companies in general: possibility of joining as collaborating entities of the plan, with the opportunities for visibility and access to institutional networks that this entails.
No new sanctions are published in this revision: the strengthening of the legal framework will be developed in later phases of the plan, in coordination with the State Attorney General's Office.
Who does it affect?
- Companies in logistics, transport and foreign trade with routes to or from Africa and Ibero-America
- Companies in the pet, aquarium, nursery and plant trade sectors (potentially subject to greater documentary control)
- Companies in the nature tourism and ecotourism sector with activity in high biodiversity areas
- NGOs for biodiversity and environmental conservation
- Academic sector and research centers in biodiversity and wild species
- Public administrations: six ministries and the State Attorney General's Office, coordinated under the General Directorate of Biodiversity
- General public, as recipients of prevention and awareness campaigns
Practical example
A company importing ornamental plants with suppliers in Colombia and Morocco operates in two regions identified as priorities by the TIFIES Plan (Ibero-America and Africa). With the plan's update, this company can expect:
- Greater documentary rigor in Spanish customs to prove the legal origin of imported species (CITES certificates, export permits from the country of origin).
- Possible more frequent inspections as a result of the strengthening of the legal framework contemplated in Priority 2 of the plan.
- Opportunity for collaboration: if the company has sustainability or traceability programs, it can request recognition as a collaborating entity of the plan, improving its positioning with clients and administrations.
The plan does not establish new direct sanctions in this revision, but the strengthening of the legal framework provided for may result in greater exposure to inspections and documentary requirements for companies in these supply chains.
What should companies do now?
- Review the supply chain: if you import or export wildlife, flora or derived products originating in Africa or Ibero-America, verify that all CITES documentation and export permits are in order.
- Assess whether your activity makes you a potential collaborating entity: NGOs, companies in the environmental sector and research centers can explore avenues for formal participation in the plan.
- Train your compliance and logistics team: ensure that those responsible for imports are aware of the strengthened documentary requirements that the new plan may entail.
- Monitor regulatory developments: the strengthening of the legal framework (Priority 2) will be developed in later phases. Keep track of updates published by the General Directorate of Biodiversity, Forests and Desertification.
- Consult with the State Attorney General or legal advisor if your company operates in risk sectors (exotic animal trade, protected plants, forest products) to anticipate possible changes in inspection requirements.
Frequently asked questions
What is the TIFIES Plan and what changes in 2026?
The TIFIES Plan is the Spanish Action Plan Against Illegal Trafficking and International Poaching of Wild Species. The revision approved on June 29, 2026 updates it to align with the EU Action Plan revised in 2022, in force until 2027. Three priorities are maintained: prevention and involvement of civil society, strengthening of the legal framework and international cooperation. There is no increase in public spending or personnel.
Which companies are required to comply with the TIFIES Plan?
The plan does not impose direct obligations on private companies in this revision. However, companies in logistics, foreign trade, wildlife and flora imports, nature tourism and sectors linked to biodiversity must be alert to the strengthening of the legal framework provided for (Priority 2), which may result in greater documentary requirements and more frequent inspections, especially on routes originating from or transiting through Africa and Ibero-America.
How much does it cost a company to adapt to the TIFIES Plan?
The plan revision does not establish direct costs for companies or public administrations: it is implemented with existing resources and without increase in spending. The cost for companies is fundamentally operational: documentary review, training of compliance teams and, where applicable, adaptation of import/export processes to comply with CITES requirements and origin permits.
How can an NGO or private company participate in the TIFIES Plan?
The plan formally recognizes NGOs, academic sector and private companies as collaborating entities. This opens avenues for participation in programs and projects coordinated by the General Directorate of Biodiversity, Forests and Desertification. To explore this avenue, interested organizations should contact that General Directorate or the ministries involved in the plan.
When does the TIFIES Plan 2026 revision come into force?
The TIFIES Plan revision came into force on August 11, 2026, the date of its publication in the BOE through the Resolution of July 16, 2026 from the General Directorate of Biodiversity, Forests and Desertification.
Official source
Consult complete regulation in official source
Notice: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific decisions, consult a qualified professional. Source: https://www.boe.es/diario_boe/txt.php?id=BOE-A-2026-17564