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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19th Meeting of the CITES Animals Committee
Delegates at AC-19 discussed 22 agenda items in Plenary on a range of topics including, inter alia: strategic planning; review of significant trade (RST) in specimens of Appendix II species; review of criteria for amendment of Appendices I and II; periodic review of animal species included in the Appendices; and more
12th Meeting of the CITES Conference of the Parties (COP12)
Delegates’ assessments of COP-12 were mixed. Many applauded the listing of seahorses, basking and whale sharks, and Bigleaf mahogany, and rejection of the proposals to downlist populations of minke and Bryde’s whales, but also expressed disappointment with the withdrawal of a listing proposal for the Patagonian toothfish.
11th Meeting of the CITES Conference of the Parties (COP11)
Most delegates were satisfied with the outcome of COP-11 and championed the compromise reached on African Elephants as the triumph of COP-11. The rejection of proposals to downlist populations of Gray and Minke Whale and the Hawksbill Turtle was also characterized as a success by many, but this view was not unanimous, reflecting the underlying conflicts within CITES between issues related to conservation and trade.