Wildlife Trade Policy Reviews

1. Wildlife Trade Policy Reviews Madagascar

2. Introduction • Madagascar ratified the convention in 1975 • Rich in biodiversity with high endemism: 90% of animals and 80% of plants • It is the first country where CITES has initiated studies on important trade leading to the elaboration of the action plan in 2003 • The project is timely for Madagascar • The steering committee was composed of representants from Governmental institutions, NGOs, donors • Data were collected from all the stakeholders in Antananarivo and field studies in the eastern and western parts of M/scar were realized after the validation workshop

3. 1990 – 2002 Policy based on the application of Environmental Policy 2002: Moratorium on all species 2003 Policy reform and action planimplementation 1975 – 1990 Ratification of CITES Before 1975 Policy based on local management of wild species The 4 phases of Madagascar’s WTP

4. Description and diagnosis of policy content and policy implementation In Madagascar, Policies on Wildlife Trade can be divided in 4 phases: Before 1975: Policies were based on local management of wild species 1975 – 1990: Phase marked by the elaboration of the national laws for the implementation of CITES, other laws on conservation at the national level were also created. 1990 – 2002: Period influenced by the environmental policy based on the law 90-033 of October 1990. Policies oriented toward integrated conservation and development. 2002: Moratorium on wildlife trade After 2003: National policies reformed on wild species trade and implementation of the action plan. Review of CITES Annex.

5. For the implementation the following activities were undertaken: • Establishment of different structures for CITES (MA –SA) • Publication of a guide book • Monitoring and control were started by visit of nurseries and farms • Funding for the permanent secretary activities • Improvement of information sharing The implementation of the action plan permitted the reorganization and a better functioning of CITES

7. Environmental impacts • The environmental impact of one regulation may vary from one species to another, it can be positive or negative Examples: -The listing of Mantella crocea in Appendix II has led the operators to focus on other species -The moratoriums on some animals like the chameleon and Phelsuma led the operators to turn to the exportation of succulent plants -The listing of lemurs in Appendix I has promoted their conservation and was one criterion for the creation of protected areas of their habitats. • The international trade of a species with quota does not have directly negative environmental impacts on CITES species because other threats are more important such as, bush fires, habitat destruction and local trade

9. Social impacts • Positive impact on direct actors in wild species trade can be observed • A- the operators are more and more professionals • B- at the local community level collectors of plants and animals became specialists • but they complained that the implementation of more rigorous measures (1994, 2003) have reduced their income and they have to find other activities.

11. Economical impacts • Wild species trade brings foreign currencies to the state • The tax paid by the operators allowed to pay the salary of forestry agents • The more rigorous reorganization of CITES management pushed certain actors to invest their money in other business • The benefits for operators and harvesters are far from equitable • Collect of wild species for trade has not yet any visible economical impact on the “Communes” and Regions.

13. Policy analysis and findings • Pertinence and coherence • Some policies were pertinent to solve punctual problems but they are often incomplete and do not take into consideration the impact on some domains (social, economical) • Some recent decisions are not coherent with the national law on wild species CITES and non-CITES

14. Policy analysis and findings • Efficiency • The ratification of the convention promoted the valorization of wild species • The limited moratorium in 2002 helped to stop the abusive exploitation of wild species • The action plan of 2003 allowed the reorganization and reform of CITES in Madagascar, it promoted then scientific researches on commercialized wild species

16. Policy recommendations for Madagascar • Wild species trade should be promoted, as a key tool for development and poverty reduction. It will be successful if deciders and donors are convinced on that. • In order to facilitate procedures on wild flora and fauna trade and for more transparency a unique office should be created. • CITES should have access to the “Fonds Forestier National”. • The length of moratorium on malagasy species should be limited. • Researches should respond to the needs of the trades; quotas should reflect field realities. • A supporting institution to CITES in Madagascar should be created • Local commerce on wild species should be controlled and be monitored at the regional level. • Control system should be reinforced.

18. Usefulness of draft framework • The framework was helpful giving a clear methodology, leading to an efficient evaluation of the policies. • The questions were pertinent and helped for an in depth diagnosis of the policies. • Too short time for analysis

19. SUGGESSTIONS • The framework would be more efficient if it were written in the working language of the applicant country. • For better organisation of the project: It would be more practical to put under one line of budget the Coordinator and the experts