Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora

The Washington Convention, sometimes called CITES or the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, was formed because of a decision taken by attendees at a 1963 meeting of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

Its goal is to make sure that the existence of the species in the wild is not threatened by international trade (import/export) in specimens of animals and plants covered by CITES. This is accomplished through the use of a licensing and certification system. More than 38,000 species are protected in varying degrees by CITES.

Objective of Convention

The focus of CITES shifted to products demanded there, especially those used for luxury goods like elephant ivory and rhinoceros’ horn, with the expanding wealth of Asia, notably in China. Initially, CITES addressed depletion caused by Western countries' demand for luxury goods such as furs. By 2022, CITES will cover thousands of species that were previously regarded as common and not at risk of becoming extinct, such as manta rays and pangolins.

Working Methods of CITES

CITES-protected species are mentioned in several appendices based on how well-conserved they are −

• The species listed in Appendix I are those that face the greatest level of protection, including a ban on commercial trade.

• Species that are not currently endangered but could become so in the absence of trade restrictions are included in Appendix II. Regulated commerce is permitted if the exporting nation issues a permit based on the conclusion that the specimens were obtained legally and the trade will not harm the species' chances of surviving or playing a part in the ecosystem.

• Species listed in Appendix III are those for which a government has requested assistance from other CITES Parties in regulating international trade. CITES export authorizations (granted by the nation that included the species in Appendix III) and certificates of origin are used to control trade in Appendix III species (issued by all other countries).

At the Conference of the Parties meetings, which take place every two to three years, CITES members can alter the listings of species in Appendices I and II as well as CITES resolutions and judgments. Species for which a nation has domestic legislation may at any time be listed in Appendix III.

Control of Trade Under Convention

When listed taxa traverse international borders, CITES regulates the international trade in their specimens. CITES specimens can range widely, from the entire animal or plant (alive or dead) to a product like cosmetics or traditional remedies that contains a piece or a derivative of the listed species.

CITES recognizes import, export, re-export (export of any specimen that has already been imported), and introduction from the sea as the four categories of commerce (the transportation into a state of specimens of any species that were taken in the marine environment and are not under the jurisdiction of any state). A financial transaction is not necessary for the term "trade" to be used according to the CITES definition.

Any trade in specimens of CITES-listed species must be approved through a system of licences and certificates prior to the transaction taking place. One or more management authorities, who are in charge of overseeing the CITES system in each nation, issue CITES licenses and certifications.

Special Procedures and Exemptions under Convention

The Convention's Article VII provides for a few exceptions to the general trade criteria −

Samples from before the convention

For specimens that were acquired before the Convention's rules applied to that specimen, CITES stipulates a particular procedure. They are referred to as "pre-Convention" specimens, and a CITES pre-Convention certificate must be issued before the trade may take place. This exception only applies to specimens that were lawfully acquired prior to the date that the species in question was first listed in the Appendix.

Household and personal effects

According to CITES, if a specimen is a personal or domestic item, the regular permit/certificate procedures for trade in CITES specimens generally do not apply. Permits or certificates for personal or household effects are necessary in a number of circumstances, nevertheless, and some nations decide to enact stronger domestic regulations by requiring licenses or certificates for some or all personal or household effects.

Creatures that have been unnaturally or captive-bred

If management authorities are confident that the specimens are sourced from captive-bred animals or artificially propagated plants, CITES permits trading in specimens to follow particular procedures. Trade in captive-bred or artificially produced specimens of Appendix I taxa is permitted in the same circumstances as trade in Appendix II species. As a result, only one permit (for import or export) is now necessary instead of two (for export only). Instead of conventional permits, specimens may be exchanged in non-commercial trade with a certificate of captive breeding or artificial propagation granted by the management authority of the state of export.

Scientific dialogue

For non-commercial loans, donations, or exchanges between scientific or forensic institutes that have been registered by a management authority of their state, standard CITES permits and certifications are not necessary. The management authority must have a label that it has produced or approved for shipments that contain specimens (in some cases, customs declaration labels may be used). The types of specimens that may be covered by this clause include forensic, herbarium, diagnostic, and museum specimens. On the CITES website, registered institutions are listed.

Suggestions for reform the convention

Improved national legislation and enforcement, better reporting by Parties (and the consolidation of information from all sources—ngos, TRAFFIC, the wildlife trade monitoring network, and Parties), more emphasis on enforcement—including a technical committee enforcement officer—and the creation of CITES Action Plans are just a few ideas for how to operate CITES more effectively.

CITES would benefit from having access to financing from the Global Environment Facility (GEF); however, this is challenging given the GEF's more ecosystem-focused strategy. More money might be available for non-Secretariat operations if a future system is established that is akin to the Montreal Protocol (developed nations contribute to a fund for poor nations).

Meetings under Convention

Every three years, the Conference of the Parties (cop) convenes. The previous Conference of the Parties (cop 17) took place in Johannesburg, South Africa, in 2016, while the most recent Conference of the Parties (cop 18) took place in Geneva, Switzerland, from August 17–28, 2019. The following one (cop 19) will take place in Panama City in 2022. At the conclusion of each cop, a secret ballot vote determines the location of the following cop.

While the Standing Committee also meets in years with a cop, the CITES Committees (Animals Committee, Plants Committee, and Standing Committee) convene each year without a cop. Unless another nation agrees to host the meeting, the Committee meetings take place in Geneva, Switzerland (where the CITES Convention Secretariat is based). UNEP is in charge of running the secretariat. The Animals and Plants Committees have occasionally convened together. The most recent joint gathering took place in Veracruz, Mexico, in May 2014, while the previous one took place in Dublin, Ireland, in March 2012.

Conclusion

Modifications to the Convention may be enacted during an exceptional meeting of the COP if one-third of the Parties are interested in such a meeting and require the backing of a two-thirds majority of those who are "present and voting". Parties may express reservations either at the time of ratification of the Convention or within 90 days of the amendment of a species listing. When it comes to trading in the species, the party in these situations is handled as if it were a state that is not a party to CITES.

Significant reservations on different baleen whale species include those made by Iceland, Japan, and Norway, as well as those made by Saudi Arabia on Falconiformes. One or more scientific authorities provide advice to management authorities regarding the impact of specimen trading on the status of CITES-listed species. To authorize the transaction, competent border authorities in each nation must get CITES permits and certificates.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Which animals are protected under CITES?

Ans. Gorillas, sea turtles, most lady slipper orchids, and gigantic pandas are a few examples. Presently, there are 1082 species listed. Since they face extinction, CITES forbids the international commerce in their specimens, except for imports made for non-commercial purposes, such as scientific research.

Q2. Is India a member of CITES?

Ans. Since 1976, India has been a CITES Party. India is known for having up to 7-8% of all the species listed under CITES, which is due to its extreme diversity. India forbids the international commerce in threatened wild species as an active CITES Party.

Q3. How many animals are listed under CITES?

Ans. Around 38,700 species - comprising roughly 5,950 species of mammals and 32,800 species of plants - are protected by CITES from over-exploitation through international commerce.