CITES

The Convention on the International Trade of Endangered Species, or CITES as it is known, is an integral part of wildlife management on a global basis.

CITES entered into force on July 1st, 1975 and now has over 160 member countries, including Australia. These countries act by banning commercial trade in an agreed list of currently endangered species and by regulating and monitoring trade in others that might become endangered if allowed to go unregulated.

ln  Australia,  CITES  controls  are  administered  under  the
Wildlife Protection (Regulations of Exports and Imports ) Act 1982

WHY IS CITES NEEDED?

Many species of animals are declining in numbers due to loss of habitat and increased exploitation as human populations expand. In some countries, the political instability of a nation or region can add further pressure and uncertainty to species already struggling to survive in a changing world. The pace of trade has also been another factor in the decline of species or populations as improved collecting techniques and rapid transport facilities have made it possible to ship live animals and their products anywhere in the world.

Wildlife trade is a lucrative business and involves the trade of a wide variety of species from the animal and plant kingdoms, both as living specimens, or as their products. Millions of live animals and plants are shipped around the world each year to supply the pet trade and to meet the demand of ornamental flowers. Fur skins, leather, ivory and timber and a host of articles derived from these raw materials are traded in large quantities.

HOW CITES WORKS

CITES has established a world wide system of controls on international trade in threatened wildlife and wildlife products by stipulating that approved government permits are required for such trade. Security papers and stamps are often used for these permits to prevent abuses such as forgery.

CITES controls the trade of wildlife species in two main categories:

ENDANGERED SPECIES

These are listed in Appendix 1 to the Convention and are those species already threatened with extinction. Among those species listed are the apes, lemurs, giant panda, many South American monkeys, great whales, cheetah, leopards, tiger, elephants, all rhinoceroses, many birds of prey, pheasants, cranes and parrots, all sea turtles, some crocodiles and lizards, giant salamanders, and some mussels, orchids and cacti.

OTHER SPECIES AT SERIOUS RISK

Included in this category are species of wildlife, which might become endangered if trade in them was not controlled or monitored in order to avoid utilization incompatible with the overall survival of the species or population. They are listed in Appendix 11 to the Convention. To prevent threatened species from being traded under the guise of non-threatened species similar in appearance, some non-threatened species are also included in the appendix.

In addition, CITES countries may afford special protection to a listed species, or it may ban trade in all their wildlife. In essence, they may enforce added measures of protection to a species but they cannot diminish the level already sanctioned by the CITES treaty.

ENFORCEMENT

Enforcement of CITES is the responsibility of member states, who are required to establish management and scientific authorities for the purpose. In most countries, customs officers are given the task of enforcing CITES regulations. Governments are also required to submit reports including trade records to the CITES Secretariat in Switzerland.

To ensure effective enforcement, the Secretariat acts as a clearinghouse for the exchange of information and liaison between the member states and with other authority and organizations.

CITES is an integral part of wildlife management on a global basis.
Much of the requirements of international trade are complex and involved and are matters not to be dealt with lightly by the uninitiated. Severe penalties, including imprisonment exist for individuals who willingly and openly violate the laws and the treaty.

At South Pacific Taxidermy we are able to assist clients in the lodgement of CITES applications for the importation of approved CITES listed species.