CITES: The Washington Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora
Latest news4 February 2008 - consultation on introducing a full cost recovery charging regime for CITES licences launched - closing date for comments is 6 May 2008 11 January 2008 – Ports of Entry, the summary of responses on the consultation on the review and update of the Control of Trade in Endangered Species (Designation of Ports of Entry) Regulations 1985 has been published.
What is CITES?CITES is an international convention which regulates and monitors trade in endangered animals and plants, and products derived from them. It does not aim to end trade in wildlife but seeks to ensure that any trade is carried out in a sustainable way that ensures the long-term survival of all species. The Convention entered into force in 1975, and the UK became a Party in 1976. There are more than 170 member countries or Parties to the Convention. It is managed by the CITES Secretariat, based in Geneva. The Secretariat is administered by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). What species are covered by CITES?CITES regulates international trade in over 33,000 species, of which approximately 28,000 are plants. Not one of the species protected by CITES has become extinct as a result of trade since the Convention came into force. CITES works by placing endangered species in one of 3 different appendices, which offer a different level of protection. Appendix I: contains species threatened with extinction and that are, or may be, affected by international trade. Trade is only permitted in exceptional circumstances. Appendix II: contains species that are not necessarily threatened with extinction but may become so unless trade is closely controlled by a permitting system. Appendix II also contains look-alike species, which are controlled because of their similarity to other regulated species. The majority of CITES species are listed on Appendix II. Appendix III: contains species which are protected in at least one country and for which the co-operation of other Parties is needed to control international trade. UK AdministrationEach Party to CITES must have a Management Authority. Defra and its executive agency, Animal Health, are the UK CITES Management Authority and are responsible for ensuring that the Convention is properly implemented in the UK. This includes issuing permits and certificates for the import and export, or commercial use of, CITES specimens. Applications for CITES permits are referred to a designated CITES Scientific Authority for advice on the conservation status of the species concerned. The UK has two independent Scientific Authorities: the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) for animals, and the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew for plants. Among other things, Scientific Authorities advise whether imports or exports of CITES species will have a harmful effect on the conservation of the species in the wild. Enforcement of CITES at borders is primarily carried out by HM Revenue and Customs. Inland the Police and Animal Health's Wildlife Inspectorate have lead responsibility. EU ImplementationThe European Union (EU) is one of the largest and most diverse consumers of wildlife and wildlife products in the world. Due to the European single market, and the absence of internal border controls, CITES provisions are applied uniformly in the EU through two regulations, (338/97 and 865/2006). In some respects, these regulations are stricter than CITES itself; for instance they include certain non-CITES species and have stricter welfare requirements for live animals imported into the EU. The regulations are administered by the European Commission’s Environment Directorate General. Click here for an overview of the wildlife trade regulations in the EU. Two groups have been set up to ensure uniform application of the regulations throughout the EU, the Committee on Trade in Wild Fauna and Flora and the Scientific Review Group. An EU Enforcement Group meets to examine technical questions relating to enforcement of the regulations and exchange information. Control of Trade in Endangered Species (Designation of Ports of Entry) Regulations 1985 consultation exerciseCITES is implemented in the European Community through Council Regulation (EC) No. 338/97. Article 12 of 338/97 requires Member States to designate customs offices for carrying out checks on the introduction into and export from the Community of CITES-listed species. It also requires the Government to notify these offices to the European Commission. A consultation exercise was held between 6 July and 12 October 2007 that sought views on options for complying with Article 12. A summary of responses to the consultation exercise has been published on the Defra website at; http://www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/cites-ports/index.htm You can find more information about the implementation of CITES in the EU at: http://ec.europa.eu/environment/cites/legislation_en.htm How to contact usFor all queries relating to CITES licence applications (including whether you need a licence) or the import/(re)export of CITES-listed species: For all queries relating to the UK’s policy on CITES: Useful web linksFor further information about CITES, please visit the UK's CITES website. This site contains advice on how to apply for a CITES permit or licence to import/(re)export and sell a CITES specimen. The CITES website managed by the CITES Secretariat provides more detailed information about the working of the Convention. The EU Wildlife Trade website, administered by TRAFFIC Europe for the European Commission, gives advice to traders, travellers and others on how to comply with EU regulations on wildlife trade. |
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Page last modified: 4 February 2008
Page published: 8 January 2003