Article 14 Monitoring of compliance and investigation of infringements

The competent authorities of the Member States shall monitor compliance with the provisions of this Regulation.

If, at any time, the competent authorities have reason to believe that these provisions are being infringed, they shall take the appropriate steps to ensure compliance or to instigate legal action.

Member States shall inform the Commission and, in the case of species listed in the Appendices to the Convention, the Convention Secretariat of any steps taken by the competent authorities in relation to significant infringements of this Regulation, including seizures and confiscations.

An enforcement group shall be established consisting of the representatives of each Member State's authorities with responsibility for ensuring the implementation of the provisions of this Regulation. The group shall be chaired by the representative of the Commission.

The enforcement group shall examine any technical question relating to the enforcement of this Regulation raised by the chairman, either on his own initiative or at the request of the members of the group or the committee.

The Commission shall convey the opinions expressed in the enforcement group to the committee.