The international trade in wild animals and plants is worth billions of dollars every year, and can have a serious impact on species survival. The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna (CITES) is a United Nations international agreement between governments, providing varying levels of protection for species that are or may be in danger of extinction from international trade. Over 30,000 plants and animals are listed on CITES

169 member countries meet every three years for the CITES Conference of Parties (CoP) to debate trade Proposals by its member parties. CITES places 'at-risk' species in two main categories: Appendix I imposes a commercial trade ban and Appendix II monitors and regulates trade.
Endangered wildlife trade is a low priority for many governments. But without CITES, it would be a free-for-all. Many mechanisms have been developed under the treaty to combat illegal wildlife trade and to persuade countries to comply with controls such as bans on commercial trade in rhino horn, tiger parts and elephant ivory (the compliance system). These mechanisms are not perfect, but they are better than nothing. Currently they are under threat from lack of funding and forces within CITES trying to re-write the compliance system and prevent the use of trade sanctions when countries fail to comply with the treaty. DSWF is one of the lead NGOs working to strengthen compliance with CITES mechanisms.

Other issues that have been of particular interest and focus are the continued controversial decisions to allow one off trade sales in ivory, which DSWF opposes and tries hard to minimise the detrimental impact on elephants, particularly in poorer range states. DSWF also focuses on other specific species proposals as and when appropriate (relating to wildlife trade, the status of species and their protection).

The elephant is a prime example of a species that has directly benefited from being listed on CITES Appendix 1. Between 1979 and 1989, more than 600,000 African elephants were slaughtered for their ivory, reducing the population by half. In 1989 the African elephant was given the highest level of protection under CITES, and an international ban on the trade in ivory put in place. However, in the last few years, with some African range states being granted one of ivory sales, it has sent the message to traders and poachers that the trade is once again open and poaching has increased. With its partners from Species Survival Network (SSN) DSWF continues to lobby against any re-opening of the ivory trade, calling for a 20 year moratorium on ivory trading.

SSN is now recognised as the leading coalition of wildlife organisations working within the CITES framework to reduce the impact of international trade on wild fauna and flora.

Next CITES Meeting is CoP14 (The Hague, Netherlands 3-15 June 2007) when Parties will make decisions on international trade in a number of high profile species.

DSWF representative Dr Roz Reeve will be concentrating on the ivory trade, having compiled and released DSWF's report exposing illegal ivory trade in Namibia that was fuelled by a controversial CITES decision in 2004.

Dr Reeve will also be working on enforcement and compliance issues and working with SSN Colleagues on other species proposals, including rigorous lobbying support of Kenya and Mali's proposal for a 20 year moratorium on ivory trading.

To read the Illegal Ivory Trade press release and report click here…

For up to date news from CITES Conference of Parties (CoP 14) - The Hague, Netherlands 3-15 June click here...

For more information about CITES, SSN and to read SSN report 'The Unrelenting Global Trade in Elephant Ivory' see www.ssn.org

DSWF funds:

DSWF funds Dr Reeve's work on CITES/SSN issues both at the Conferences of Parties where decisions to trade or not are taken, and in between at meetings where the Standing Committee (SC) decide how trade controls will work and whether countries are complying.

If you would like to support the CITES project please follow the links below to make a donation or you can phone the Foundation Office on 01483 272323.

Every little contribution helps wildlife and remember 100% of your donation will go in full to the project - thank you!

You can also help by becoming a member of DSWF. Click here for more information

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