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The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of
Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) was adopted in 1973 to ensure that
no wild animal or plant species is unsustainably exploited as a
result of international trade. It bans international commercial
trade in an agreed list of plant an animal species that are threatened
with extinction as a result, at least in part, of trade, and promotes
the sustainable use of other threatened species by regulating their
trade thorough a system of permits. The CITES secretariat is based
in Geneva and administered by UNEP. Its Secretary General is Willem
Wijnstekers of The Netherlands.
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Common
name: Golden
Lion Tamarin
Latin name:
Leontopithecus rosalia Synonym:
Leontideus rosalia
Distribution:
Brazil
CITES listing:
Appendix I
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Trade in wildlife and wildlife products is big business, estimated
to be worth billions of dollars annually, and can pose a major threat
to vulnerable species. Over the past several decades, improvements
in international transport have made it possible to ship live animals,
plants and their products anywhere in the world. Much of the trade
aims to satisfy he demand for pets, ornamental plants and traditional
medicines. Parts and products such as furs, skins, leather and timber
are also traded commercially in large quantities.
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The
Cites Appendices
Member countries ban the
international commercial trade in endangered species inscribed
on an agreed list (Appendix I), and regulate through CITES
permits the commerce in other species that might someday
become endangered if no control were exercised (Appendices
II and III).
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| Appendix
I |
Species which are threatened
with extinction. A ban is placed on international trade for
commercial purposes. Some trade is allowed for noncommercial
purposes, such as scientific purposes.
Examples include: All the
great apes; various big cats such as cheetahs, snow leopards
and the tiger, numerous birds of prey, cranes and pheasants;
all sea turtles, many species of crocodiles, tortoises and
snakes; some cacti and orchids; and many other species.
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| Appendix
II |
Trade is strictly regulated
for these species which are not necessarily threatened with
extinction but may become so unless trade is regulated. Species
may also be listed on appendix II if their parts or products
are not easily distinguished from those of Appendix I species.
This is known as a "look-a-like" listing.
Examples: All primates, cats,
cetaceans, birds of prey, parrots, crocodiles and orchids
not listed in Appendix I.
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| Appendix
III |
Includes all species
which any Party identifies as being subject to regulation within
its jurisdiction for the purpose of preventing or restricting
exploitation. The cooperation of other Parties, is therefore,
needed |
With more than 150 Parties (including the United States), CITES
is widely regarded as one of the most important legal international
conservation instruments. CITES parties meet approximately every
two years to review implementation of the Convention and to revise
the lists of protected species in the light of current information
on the conservation status of species and trade development. The
first Conference of the Parties was held in Bern , Switzerland,
in October 1977, the most recent meeting, the 11th, was held in
Nairobi, Kenya in April 2000.
Among the best known examples of CITES work are the international
ban on trade in elephant ivory and the complete ban on international
trade in tigers and tiger parts. The ivory ban was adopted in 1989,
but in 1997 CITES member states agreed to permit some highly controlled
exports of elephant ivory following successful conservation efforts
in southern Africa. The April 2000 Conference of the Parties decided
to continue the ban on elephant ivory sales. The elephant populations
of Botswana, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe will remain on CITES
appendix II (which permits trade through permits) but there will
be a zero quota for ivory sales. Africa's other elephant populations
are on Appendix I, which bans trade.
The CITES secretariat funds much of the work of the Wildlife Trade
Monitoring Unit (WTMU) of the World Conservation Monitoring Center
(see chapter on IUCN). The WTMU compiles data on wildlife trade
and the utilization of flora and fauna, forming the main database
on international trade in CITES species.
U.S. Policy: The United States is a major supporter of CITES's
programs. The Federal Wildlife Permit Office of the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service (FWS) is the U.S. management authority for CITES
and the State Department is the focal point for the Convention.
Internet
www.cites.org
Address
CITES Secretariat
International Environment House 15
chemin des Anémones
CH-1219 Châtelaine Geneva
Tel: (+4122) 917-8139/40
Fax: (+4122) 797-3417
Email: cites@unep.ch
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