www.cites.org 1 Decision-making in CITES University of Freiburg Excursion International Organization and Environmental Governance Geneva, 20 February 2007 Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora
Overview 2 Overview of CITES Decision-making in CITES Photo: WWF
CITES 3 CITES is the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora CITES is also known as the Washington Convention, as it was signed in Washington D.C. CITES was signed on 3 March 1973, and entered into force on 1 July 1975
CITES 4 The purpose of CITES is to ensure that no species of wild fauna or flora becomes or remains subject to unsustainable exploitation because of international trade
CITES 5 CITES is an international convention that combines wildlife and trade themes with a legally binding instrument for achieving conservation and sustainable use objectives
CITES 6 The Convention establishes an international legal framework with common procedural mechanisms for the prevention of international commercial trade in endangered species, and for an effective regulation of international trade in others
CITES 7 This framework and common procedural mechanism is now used by 169 countries to regulate and monitor international trade in wild resources Non-Parties
8 Examples of trade Primates Hunting trophies Birds of prey Parrots & parakeets Crocodilians Snakes & lizards Turtles & tortoises Live aquarium specimens Food fishes Spiders & butterflies Molluscs & corals
9 Examples of trade Orchids Cacti & succulents Bulbs (Snowdrops, Cyclamens) Medicinal plants Ornamental trees Timber species
CITES 10 Species subject to CITES regulation are divided amongst three Appendices I II III
Appendix I CITES 3% 11 Species threatened with extinction International (commercial) trade is generally prohibited Almost 530 animal species and some 300 plant species
Appendix II CITES 92% 12 Species not threatened with extinction, but trade must be controlled to avoid their becoming threatened Species that resemble species already included in Appendix I or II International trade is permitted but regulated More than 4,400 animal species and more than 28,000 plant species
Appendix III CITES 5% 13 Species for which a country is asking Parties to help with its protection International trade is permitted but regulated (less restrictive than Appendix II) Some 154 animal species and 7 plant species
CITES 14 The Conference of the Parties is the only body that can decide on the contents of Appendices I and II Any proposal to amend these two Appendices requires a twothirds majority of voting Parties for it to be adopted Only Parties may propose amendments to the Appendices
CITES 15 Similar requirements Similar authorities Similar procedures Similar rules and regulations COMMON PROCEDURAL MECHANISMS Similar documents
Benefits of CITES 16 Regulated trade (effective and consistent) Science-based decisions Cooperation at multiple levels Conservation results Sustainable use of wildlife Towards a green certification?
Decision-making in CITES 17
Decision-making in CITES 18 Decision-making in CITES occurs at various levels International National Consumers
Decision-making in CITES 19 International decision-making Strategic vision of CITES Changes to the Appendices Interpretation of the Convention (Resolutions) Decisions of the Conference of the Parties These are legally binding
Decision-making in CITES 20 International decision-making Decision-making at the CoP Rule 23.1 The Conference shall as far as possible decide on proposals for amendment of Appendices I and II by consensus Rule 23.2 Whenever the Conference does not reach a consensus on the adoption or rejection of a proposal for amendment of Appendices I and II, the Presiding Officer shall propose that the decision on the amendment be put to a vote
Decision-making in CITES 21 Voting Show of hands (now done electronically) Roll call (no longer relevant due to electronic voting) Secret ballot Voting on procedural matters is decided by a simple majority All other matters (such as species proposals) are decided by a two-thirds majority of Parties present and voting
Decision-making in CITES 22 National decision-making Policy on exports (allow or not allow?) Case-by-case decisions on allowing imports of Appendix-I species
Decision-making in CITES 23 National decision-making Determining that any export will not be detrimental to the survival of that species (the non-detriment finding ) Legal acquisition Suitable shipping conditions, housing Purpose of trade Limiting trade to maintain species at a level consistent with their role in the ecosystem and above the level at which they might become threatened Deciding on whether to issue CITES documents or not
Decision-making in CITES 24 National decision-making Disposal of confiscated specimens
Decision-making in CITES 25 National decision-making by whom? Administrative decisions are the responsibility of the Management Authority Decisions on whether trade is having a detrimental effect on the survival of the species, and on the purpose of import for Appendix-I species are the responsibility of the Scientific Authority
Decision-making in CITES 26 Stricter Domestic Measures The provisions of the present Convention shall in no way affect the right of Parties to adopt: stricter domestic measures regarding the conditions for trade, taking, possession or transport of specimens of species included in Appendices I, II and III, or the complete prohibition thereof; or domestic measures restricting or prohibiting trade, taking, possession or transport of species not included in Appendix I, II or III Article XIV
Decision-making in CITES 27 Stricter Domestic Measures - example 11 January 2007, the European Union announces an indefinite ban on wild bird imports this does not apply to the global trade in live domestic poultry involving some 750 million birds a year By ending legal and tightly managed imports, the EU risks driving the market underground It also undermines impoverished communities who depend on the environmentally sustainable trade in birds and removes economic incentives for protecting bird habitat
Decision-making in CITES 28 Decision-making by consumers CITES as a form of green certification The don t buy campaigns
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Decision-making in CITES 30 Most don t buy or don t use campaigns do not provide enough information for consumers to make a really informed decision Is it legal? Is it environmentally detrimental or beneficial?
Decision-making in CITES 31 A well-meaning decision to refuse trade (by Governments or consumers) might actually be detrimental to the conservation and management of wild species
Decision-making in CITES 32 CITES as Green Certification Trade that is regulated under CITES is the culmination of extensive decision-making at national and international levels, in a system that is constantly improved through multi-lateral decision-making at the international level
Conclusion? 33 CITES operates through a multitude of decisions Taken by governments at the national and international levels Taken by consumers Decision-making in CITES is not easy