CONVENTION ON INTERNATIONAL TRADE IN ENDANGERED SPECIES OF WILD FAUNA AND FLORA

 

For: Mains

Topics covered:

• CITES CoP 18 – major highlights
• What is the CITES CoP?
• What is CITES?

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News Flash

The 18th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES CoP18) was recently held in Geneva, Switzerland.

 

Concerns

• The smooth-covered otter (found in India, Bangladesh, Nepal and a few other Asian nations) is progressively being poached from the wild to turn into an internet-based life frill or to become a social media accessory.
• According to IUCN (International Union for the Conservation of Nature), smooth-coated otters are vulnerable to extinction.

 

18th CoP to CITES

• Proposals to list, remove or change the listing of species on the CITES appendices.
• Policy and implementation measures to improve the effectiveness of the Convention.
• The strategic direction of the Convention (including budget matters) to enable the CITES Secretariat to function effectively.

 

What is the CITES CoP?

The CITES CoP is where governments around the world convene every two to three years to review and make decisions on the regulation of trade in endangered species.

Under CITES, trade is defined as import, export, re-export and introduction from the sea (for marine species taken on the high seas).

 

The CoP will decide on:

• Proposals to list, remove or change the listing of species on the CITES appendices.
• Policy and implementation measures to improve the effectiveness of the Convention.
• The strategic direction of the Convention (including budget matters) to enable the CITES Secretariat to function effectively.

 

What is CITES?

The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) is an international agreement between governments.  It ensure that international trade in wildlife does not threaten wild populations of plants and animals. CITES entered into force on 1 July 1975.

 

CITES appendix

1. Appendix I includes species “threatened with extinction”.  Trade-in specimens of these species is permitted only in exceptional circumstances.
2. Appendix II provides a lower level of protection.
3. Appendix III contains species that are protected in at least one country, which has asked other CITES Parties for assistance in controlling the trade.

 

Source: Environment

 

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