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CITES Explained: Do You Care About Fauna and Flora?

The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora CITES is a crucial instrument for ensuring that speci...

The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora CITES is a crucial instrument for ensuring that species are not traded in a way that threatens their survival.

If, for instance, the world wants to secure a future with elephants, member states would do well to shut down all domestic ivory trade, and to put all stockpiles beyond commercial use.

The Elephant Protection Initiative, for instance, calls on members to do this. It provides an excellent example of states adopting policies that complement CITES regulations.

Elephants and other charismatic species are important to conserve not just because they have inherent value, but also because they play a key role in ensuring the ecological integrity of their migratory habitats.

These habitats – wilderness landscapes - not only preserve wildlife species, but also operate as invaluable carbon sinks.
Elephants are Valuable to our Environment and Protected by CITES

This shows us that properly regulating trade in wild fauna and flora is one crucial component of addressing other major challenges like climate change.

CITES is an international regulatory treaty between 182 member states. It was formed in 1973 and regulates the international trade in over 35 000 wild species of plants and animals.

The 17th Conference of the Parties to CITES (CoP17) will be hosted by South Africa running from 24 September to 5 October.

How does CITES work?
The convention works primarily through a system of classification and licensing. Wild species are categorised in Appendices I to III. This often reflects species’ threat status on the Red List of the IUCN, the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List of Threatened Species first created in 1964.

Appendix I prohibits trade in species classified as highly endangered. Appendix II allows trade under very specific conditions. This requires exporting countries obtain a permit, but not the importing country. Appendix III species require only a certificate of origin to be traded.

National CITES management authorities may issue permits once scientific authorities show non-detriment findings. In other words, scientific evidence must demonstrate that species sustainability will not be adversely affected by trade.

Where data is lacking, the precautionary principle applies.

For instance, elephants are protected under Appendix I and II because of the geographically differentiated threats facing different populations.

Either way, if countries cannot demonstrate that the trade in ivory will not result in species decline, they will not be allowed to trade. - Online Sources 


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