Introduction to CITES
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1. CITES began in the 1970s as an international agreement to regulate international trade in endangered species. It has grown to include over 180 member countries working together to ensure international trade of plants and animals does not threaten their survival. 2. CITES functions by placing species on one of three appendices based on how threatened they are. It then uses a permit system to regulate international trade of those species. Management Authorities in each country issue permits and ensure trade complies with CITES requirements. 3. Through cooperation between its member countries, standardized permits, and guidance from the Conference of Parties, CITES aims to ensure international trade in wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival in the wild.
Introduction to CITES
- 1. 1 Akankwasah Barirega, PhD www.CITES.org Introduction to CITES Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities
- 2. 2 Overview • How CITES began • What is CITES • How CITES works • The benefits of CITES • Partnerships • Summary
- 4. 4 Origins of CITES • The 20th century saw several attempts to bring trade in wild species under some form of control for conservation purposes – London Convention Designed to Ensure the Conservation of Various Species of Wild Animals in Africa which are Useful to Man or Inoffensive (1900) – the London Convention Relative to the Preservation of Fauna and Flora in their Natural State (1933) – Washington Convention on Nature Protection and Wild Life Preservation in the Western Hemisphere (1940) – Algiers African Convention on the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (1968) • None of these were sufficiently robust, visionary and relevant to the global community
- 5. 5 Origins of CITES • CITES was ‘born’ from a resolution adopted by the eighth General Assembly of IUCN held in Nairobi in 1963, which expressed concern about the wildlife trade and called for a mechanism to regulate this trade • Drafting started in 1964, and a first draft was sent to 90 nations in 1967 • A second draft was prepared in 1969 • A third draft, with Appendices, was sent to 130 nations in 1971, with the option to sign the text as it was, or to convene a meeting to conclude the text
- 6. 6 Origins of CITES • Enough nations agreed to sign, but a meeting was planned anyway to increase support and enhance agreement • A plenipotentiary conference was held in Washington D.C. in 1973 with representatives from 80 countries, and with 8 countries and 6 international organizations attending as observers • The delegates agreed on the final text of the Convention, comprising the Preamble and the 25 Articles, and the creation of three species lists (Appendices I, II and III) and a permit model (Appendix IV)
- 7. 7 Origins of CITES • The Swiss Government agreed to act as depositary for the Convention • Canada, Chile, Cyprus, Ecuador, Nigeria, Sweden, Switzerland, Tunisia, the United States of America and Uruguay were the first countries to ratify the Convention • CITES entered into force on 1 July 1975, 90 days after the 10th ratification • Uganda became a party 16th October 1991.
- 9. 9 What is CITES? • CITES is the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora • It is also known as the Washington Convention, as it was concluded in Washington D.C.
- 10. 10 What is CITES? • CITES is an international convention that combines wildlife and trade themes with a legally binding instrument for achieving conservation and sustainable use objectives
- 11. 11 What is CITES? now 183 • CITES is relevant to a growing number of Parties
- 12. 12 • Primates • Hunting trophies • Birds of prey • Parrots & parakeets • Crocodilians • Snakes & lizards • Turtles & tortoises • Live aquarium specimens • Food fishes • Spiders & butterflies • Molluscs & corals Examples of trade
- 13. 13 • Orchids • Cacti & succulents • Bulbs (Snowdrops, Cyclamens) • Medicinal plants • Ornamental trees • Timber species Examples of trade
- 14. 14 Mapping CITES trade Major importing areas North America Europe East Asia Major importing & exporting areas Asia Southern Africa Middle East Oceania Eastern Europe Major exporting areas South America Central America Africa Asia
- 15. 15 Perception of the public… of Government… and traders… Popular perceptions of CITES
- 16. 16 Misconceptions about CITES • CITES deals with all aspects of wildlife conservation – CITES deals only with international trade in certain species included in its Appendices • CITES aims to ban all wildlife trade – CITES aims to regulate international trade (for some species trade is highly restricted)
- 17. 17 Misconceptions about CITES • CITES regulates domestic trade – CITES can only address international trade • The CITES Appendices are a listing of the world’s endangered species – The Appendices only list those species that are or may be affected by international trade
- 18. 18 Misconceptions about CITES • CITES imposes trade restrictions on developing countries – Both producer and consumer countries have responsibility for conserving and managing resources – CITES creates the means for international cooperation and decision-making
- 20. 20 How CITES works • The Convention establishes an international legal framework with common procedural mechanisms for the prevention of international commercial trade in endangered species, and for an effective regulation of international trade in others • CITES regulates international trade on the basis of a system of permits and certificates
- 21. 21 Global coverage • This framework and common procedural mechanism is now used by 175 countries (the Conference of the Parties) to regulate and monitor international trade in wild resources
- 22. 22 The Appendices • Species subject to CITES regulation are divided amongst three Appendices I II III
- 23. 23 The Appendices Appendix I – Species threatened with extinction – International (commercial) trade is generally prohibited – Almost 530 animal species and some 300 plant species 3%3%of global CITES tradeof global CITES trade
- 24. 24 The Appendices Appendix II – Species not threatened with extinction, but trade must be controlled to avoid their becoming threatened – Species that resemble species already included in Appendix I or II – International trade is permitted but regulated – More than 4,400 animal species and more than 28,000 plant species 92%92%of global CITES tradeof global CITES trade
- 25. 25 The Appendices Appendix III – Species for which a country is asking Parties to help with its protection – International trade is permitted but regulated (less restrictive than Appendix II) – Some 160 animal species and 10 plant species 5%5%of global CITES tradeof global CITES trade
- 26. 26 The Appendices • The Conference of the Parties is the only body that can decide on the contents of Appendices I and II • Any proposal to amend these two Appendices requires a two- thirds majority of voting Parties for it to be adopted • Only Parties may propose amendments to the Appendices
- 27. 27 Authorities • The Management Authority is responsible for the administrative aspects of implementation (legislation, permits, annual and biennial reports on trade, communication with other CITES agencies)
- 28. 28 Authorities • The Scientific Authority is responsible for advising the Management Authority on non-detriment findings and other scientific aspects of implementation, and monitoring of national trade
- 29. 29 Permits and certificates • CITES regulates the export, re-export and import of live and dead animals and plants and their parts and derivatives (for listed species only) through a system of permits and certificates • These permits or certificates may only be issued if certain conditions are met and which must be presented when leaving or entering a country • For Appendix I and II-listed species, the most important condition is that international trade in these species must not be detrimental to their survival in the wild
- 30. 30 Permits and certificates • There are special provisions for: – Personal and household effects – Pre-Convention specimens – Captive-bred or artificially propagated specimens – Scientific exchange – Travelling exhibitions
- 31. 31 Permits and certificates • CITES documents are standardized for: • Format • Language & terminology • Information • Duration of validity • Issuance procedures • Clearance procedures
- 32. 32 Permits and certificates • There are four types of CITES documents: – Export permits – Import permits – Re-export certificates – Other certificates
- 33. 33 Permits and certificates Export permits • Export permits can only be issued by the Management Authority, provided the Scientific Authority has advised that the proposed export will not be detrimental to the survival of the species • The Management Authority must be satisfied that the specimen was legally obtained • The Management Authority must be satisfied that living specimens will be prepared and shipped in a manner that will minimize the risk of injury, damage to health or cruel treatment
- 34. 34 Permits and certificates Import permits • Applies only to specimens of Appendix-I species • Import permits can only be issued by the Management Authority when the Scientific Authority has advised that the proposed import will be for purposes that are not detrimental to the survival of the species • Note: by taking stricter domestic measures, a number of Parties (e.g. the member States of the European Union) also require import documents for specimens of Appendix II species
- 35. 35 Permits and certificates Re-export certificates • Re-export certificates may only be issued by the Management Authority, and only when that authority is satisfied that the specimens have been imported in accordance with the provisions of the Convention
- 36. 36 Permits and certificates Other certificates • These are used for particular cases such as: – Captive-bred or artificially propagated specimens – Pre-Convention specimens – Traveling exhibitions – Introduction from the Sea – Appendix III certificate of origin – Labels for scientific exchange
- 37. 37 Conference of the Parties Standing Committee Secretariat Plants Committee Animals Committee UNEP UNEP-WCMC IUCN Structure NGOs
- 38. 38 Conference of the Parties Management Authority Secretariat Permanent Committee s Guidance UNEP-WCMC IUCN WCO, Interpol Officers in charge of implementing CITES Recommendations Structure Scientific Authority
- 39. 39 Resolutions and Decisions • The Conference of the Parties adopts Resolutions to guide the interpretation and implementation of the Convention, and Decisions to provide specific short- term time-bound instructions
- 40. 40 National legislation • The Convention and its Appendices are legally binding, but national legislation is required to apply its provisions
- 41. 41 • National legislation to implement CITES must, at the very least: – designate a Management Authority and a Scientific Authority – prohibit trade in specimens in violation of the Convention – penalize such trade – allow for confiscation of specimens illegally traded or possessed National legislation
- 42. 42 How CITES works Similar rules and regulations Similar requirements Similar authorities Similar procedures Similar documents COMMON PROCEDURAL MECHANISMS
- 44. 44 The benefits of CITES • Effective and consistent international regulation of trade in wildlife for conservation and sustainable useuse • International cooperation on trade and conservation, legislation and enforcement, resource management, conservation science • Participation as a global player in managing and conserving wildlife at the international level
- 45. 45 The benefits of CITES • Regulated trade (effective and consistent) • Science-based decisions • Cooperation at multiple levels • Conservation results • Sustainable use of wildlife • Towards a ’green’ certification?
- 46. 46 Partnerships
- 47. 47 Partnerships with Conventions • CITES collaborates directly with a number of Conventions, such as: – Convention on Biological Diversity – Basel Convention – Ramsar – Convention on Migratory Species – International Convention on the Regulation of Whaling • This collaboration can involve Resolutions and Decisions of the Conference of the Parties, joint work activities, etc. • Collaboration can be across common areas of work, such as joint Customs training, enforcement, streamlining annual reporting, harmonization of legislation etc.
- 48. 48 Partnerships with Organizations World Customs Organization Interpol IUCN, IUCN-SSC TRAFFIC Network UNEP-World Conservation Monitoring Centre
- 49. 49 Internal partnerships • Inter-agency cooperation and partnerships at the national level are also important – CITES Authorities – Customs – Police – Judiciary – Resource sectors
- 50. 50 Summary
- 51. 51 Summary • CITES is an international agreement between governments that ensures that no species of wild fauna or flora is unsustainably exploited for international trade • The Convention establishes the international legal framework and common procedural mechanisms for the prevention of international trade in endangered species, and for an effective regulation of international trade in others
- 52. 52 Summary • CITES regulates international trade in specimens of species of wild fauna and flora listed in its Appendices on the basis of a system of permits and certificates which are issued only when certain conditions are met, and which must be presented when leaving AND entering a country • For Appendix-I listed species, international trade is generally prohibited • For Appendix-II and –III listed species, international trade is permitted but regulated
- 53. 53 Summary • The Conference of the Parties adopts Resolutions and Decisions to guide interpretation of the Convention and to direct its activities and those of the permanent committees and the Secretariat • National legislation is required to implement the Convention • CITES is a powerful tool for achieving consistent international regulation of trade in wildlife for conservation and sustainable use
- 54. 54 Thank you!
Editor's Notes
- #46: This final slide in the presentation aims to summarize and reaffirm the aims of CITES. CITES results in regulated trade in wild species that is effective and consistent CITES is based on decisions that are solidly based on the best available conservation science CITES promotes international and intra-national cooperation at multiple levels CITES produces conservation results Where wild species are used, their use is not at unsustainable levels Parties and the public should be moving towards a view that CITES affords a type of ’green’ certification, whereby specimens traded under the Convention are required in accordance with national laws, the level of exploitation is not unsustainable, and for live specimens, conditions of transport are such as to minimize the risk of injury, damage to health or cruel treatment.