CITES

CITES

HMRC seized wildlife items - 3

[[File:ESSA_30_Aug_1977.pdf]__However,_in_this_Federal_Register_notice,_issued_by_[[William_Yancey_Brown|ESSA 30 Aug 1977] However, in this Federal Register notice, issued by thumb|left The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), is an international agreement aimed at ensuring that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival. The agreement was drafted as a result of a resolution adopted in 1963 at a meeting of members of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). It was signed on 3 March 1973 in Washington, D.C., and entered into force on 1 July 1975.

Overview

CITES is one of the cornerstones of international conservation efforts. It works by subjecting international trade in specimens of selected species to certain controls. All import, export, re-export, and introduction from the sea of species covered by the Convention must be authorized through a licensing system. The species covered by CITES are listed in three appendices, according to the degree of protection they need.

• Appendix I includes species threatened with extinction. Trade in specimens of these species is permitted only in exceptional circumstances.
• Appendix II includes species not necessarily threatened with extinction, but in which trade must be controlled to avoid utilization incompatible with their survival.
• Appendix III contains species that are protected in at least one country, which has asked other CITES Parties for assistance in controlling the trade.

Membership

As of the last update, CITES has 183 parties, including 182 countries and the European Union. These parties are obligated to adopt their own domestic legislation to ensure that the CITES aims are achieved at the national level.

Implementation

The implementation of CITES is a significant challenge. It requires the cooperation of many stakeholders, including national governments, customs and law enforcement officers, and the conservation community. The CITES Secretariat, located in Geneva, Switzerland, oversees the administration of the convention and provides guidance to the parties.

Challenges and Criticisms

Despite its successes, CITES faces several challenges. These include the need for more effective enforcement, the difficulty of regulating the trade in high-demand species, and the challenge of balancing conservation needs with economic interests. Critics also argue that the convention sometimes lacks transparency and public participation in its decision-making processes.

Impact

CITES has been credited with helping to reduce the trade in endangered species and with raising public awareness about the need for conservation. It has also been a catalyst for other international conservation agreements and has provided a framework for conservation efforts worldwide.

See Also

• Endangered Species
• International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)
• Wildlife Conservation
• Environmental Law