On Tuesday, 27 March, PC20 continued its deliberations in four working groups on: annotations; the Review of Significant Trade (RST); the periodic review; and nomenclature issues. The annotations working group, co-chaired by PC Chair Clemente, Ken Farr, Canada, and Marco Valentini, European Commission (EC), met throughout the day and successfully completed what was a challenging mandate. Their deliberations focused on: how to clarify and provide guidance on the meaning of “packaged and ready for retail trade” and other terms used in the annotation; and annotations in relation to tree species included in CITES Appendices II and III. 

The working group on periodic review, chaired by PC Vice-Chair Benitez-Diaz, also met throughout the day. In the morning, participants discussed species under review and proposed recommending listing and delisting proposals for a number of species, including seven genera of epiphytic cacti. The group also noted that reviews of Balmea stormia, Platymiscium pleiostachyum, and Peristeria elata remain in progress. In the afternoon, the group focused on drafting proposed revisions in relation in Resolution 14.8 (Periodic Review of the Appendices) commenced during the joint meeting of AC26/PC20.

In the morning, the working group on nomenclature, chaired by Nomenclature Specialist Noel McGough, UK, met and agreed draft recommendations and in the afternoon, the RST working group, also chaired by McGough met and completed their mandate in record time. In the RST working group, participants reviewed available information to determine whether five plant species should be eliminated from the review, with respect to the range states concerned, or whether the Secretariat should proceed with compiling information on their trade status.