Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora – CITES
The 1973 Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) is a response to concerns over-exploitation of wildlife through international trade contributes to the rapid decline of many species of plants and animals. CITES aims to ensure international trade of wild animal and plant species does not threaten their survival.
CITES parties are required to identify threatened species, establish rules regarding their trade, and impose trade sanctions against violators. CITES currently protects roughly 5,800 species of animals and 30,000 species of plants on three appendices. Appendix I lists species endangered due to international trade, permitting such trade only in exceptional circumstances. Appendix-II species may become endangered if their trade is not regulated, thus they require controls aimed at preventing unsustainable use and maintaining ecosystems. Appendix-III species are those subject to domestic regulation by a party requesting the cooperation of other parties to control international trade in these species.
Events
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16th Meeting of the CITES Conference of the Parties (CoP16)
CoP16 was marked by a general effort towards consensus. Many delegates commented at the end that they were “very happy” with the outcomes, with some remarking that CoP16 had been the most successful CoP in 40 years, particularly for marine species.
62nd Meeting of the CITES Standing Committee
The Standing Committee made progress on a package of measures on elephant conservation, in an attempt to tackle the entire ivory trade chain and consider both short- and longer-term measures. The Committee also agreed on measures to address the rhino crisis and on reporting on captive breeding of tigers, and endorsed a draft recommendation on livelihoods and guidelines for cooperation with the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas.
15th Meeting of the CITES Conference of the Parties (CoP15)
CITES CoP15 will likely be remembered for the debates on bluefin tuna, sharks, corals, polar bears, and ivory sales. However, beyond these highly publicized debates, delegates seemed pleased with the progress on numerous implementation and enforcement efforts, including source codes, permits and certification, and electronic permitting, as well as the protection of a number of new plant and animal species.