Ant smuggling case highlights legal inconsistencies
New study calls for better legal protection for insects against global trafficking
A harvester ant, similar to the type that was the focus of the recent court case
Authors of a new study are calling for stronger protection of insects in wildlife law, after the conviction of four men in Kenya for smuggling rare ants out of the country highlighted the need for more effective deterrents for criminals.
The research, carried out by Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) and Nottingham Trent University and published in the journal Laws, argues that insect trafficking is a growing but overlooked aspect of global environmental crime that is not adequately countered by legal systems – be that through insufficient laws or weak enforcement.
The authors urge governments to expand legal protections to include species such as ants, beetles and butterflies.
In the case mentioned in the paper, the men were ordered to pay a fine of £5,800 for trying to export ants in test tubes, or face prison. The authors argue that the headlines made by this case when court cases involving wildlife in general are extremely common shows that prosecutions for insect trafficking are notably rare.
Insects play a key role in pollination, soil health and biodiversity, yet they are declining in number globally. The authors note that insect trafficking is part of a wider transnational wildlife trade, often driven by demand for exotic pets or collectors’ items. However, their removal from habitats can have a significant impact on ecosystems.
Insect trafficking has the potential to introduce non-native species to new places, potentially resulting in them becoming invasive species, destroying habitats of native creatures, competing with them for food, and potentially bringing new diseases to a country.
The paper examines the dominance of “charismatic megafauna”, such as elephants and rhinos, in discussion about wildlife crime. The authors argue that this focus marginalises smaller species and influences public and policy priorities.
The researchers also call on justice systems to better consider environmental harm and the rights of non-human species. The study recommends a shift from traditional human-centred approaches to “ecological and species justice”, where insects are seen as victims of crime and environmental degradation.
The paper puts forward three approaches to reform: strengthening legal enforcement, expanding regulatory frameworks to include NGOs and civil society, and promoting social action through public engagement and education.
“Despite the scale of this issue, insect trafficking remains under-researched and poorly understood and there is limited data on the methods that criminals use, the markets they look to utilise, and the impacts on species and the ecosystems around them.
“Insects play a vital role in these ecosystems, yet they are routinely excluded from conservation policy and legal definitions of wildlife. This anthropocentric bias means species that are less visible or less valued by humans receive little protection, despite their ecological importance.”
Co-author Angus Nurse, Professor of Law and Environmental Justice at Anglia Ruskin University (ARU)The full, open-access study can be read here: Insect Trafficking: A Green Criminological Perspective