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Four years in the slammer. That’s what those found guilty of wildlife crime could face if a European plan to combat illegal trade in animal parts is approved.

Conservation groups welcomed , unveiled on 26 February by the European Commission.

“A key element in the plan is the recognition of wildlife trafficking as a serious crime,” says Philip Mansbridge, UK director of the International Fund for Animal Welfare. “As one of the world’s most lucrative criminal activities, valued at €15 billion annually, illegal wildlife trade ranks fourth globally in terms of value, behind people and drug trafficking, and counterfeiting.”

In its action plan, expected to be endorsed by member states’ environment ministers in June, the commission urges all 28 members of the European Union to recategorise wildlife trafficking as a “serious crime”, making it punishable by up to four years in prison.

By beefing up the involvement of law enforcement authorities in investigation of cases, the aim is to increase awareness of how serious the crime is, and that it often provides funds for terrorist groups.

The plan points out that although most poaching takes place in Africa and Asia, and most consumption is in East Asia, much of the illegal material is transported through hubs in Europe. “The challenge now is to ensure the plan is fully implemented,” says Katalin Kecse-Nagy, European director of Traffic, the wildlife trade monitoring network.

Meanwhile, the UK government announced it would continue funding the National Wildlife Crime Unit for another four years, assuaging recent fears over the unit’s future. Heather Sohl of the conservation group WWF-UK told the media that the move shows the government is serious about combating illegal trade within UK borders.

Read more: Animal invaders on Europe’s kill list are set to be wiped out