CITES: ensuring that species are not threatened by international trade

The world's largest international wildlife conservation agreement

For 3 decades, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, known as CITES, has been the largest and by some accounts, the most effective international wildlife conservation agreement in the world.

The treaty entered into force in Washington DC in 1975, in response to concerns that many species were becoming endangered because of international trade. Because this trade crosses national borders, international collaboration and co-operation is crucial to ensure this trade is sustainable and controlled and does not threaten or endanger wildlife.

Since the Convention entered into force, more than 30,000 species of animals and plants have been listed on its Appendices, from tigers and elephants to mahogany and orchids.

Visit the CITES website for more information

How does CITES work?

CITES regulates international trade in species by including species on one of three Appendices.

• Appendix I - species cannot be traded internationally.
  
• Appendix II - species can be traded internationally but within strict regulations ensuring its sustainability.
• Appendix III - a species included at the request of a country  which then needs the cooperation of other countries to help prevent illegal exploitation.

What is the CoP?

Every 3 years, Parties to CITES (Government representatives from participating countries) meet to discuss a variety of issues. This meeting is called a meeting of the Conference of the Parties – these are known as CoPs

CoP 14 (the 14th meeting of countries involved with CITES) will take place in The Hague, June 2007.

What are they for?

At each CoP, CITES Parties discuss proposals to amend the Appendices.

Parties vote on each proposal.

Two thirds of the Parties that are present and voting must vote in favour of a proposal for it to be accepted.

Parties also discuss and come to agreement on a range of Resolutions and Decisions that may relate to, for instance, the interpretation of the Convention, its operation for particular taxa or specimens, or specific trade-related conservation measures.

Only Parties (country governments) can vote.

NGOs such as WWF and TRAFFIC provide technical and scientific advice, and are able to participate and speak at the CoP. WWF has actively participated in all previous CITES CoPs, and brings to the table both its policy expertise, and its 40 years of field expertise in more than 60 countries.

What has CITES achieved so far?