CITES

1. CITES James FreshwaterNatalie KimmelMoira MulliganJeremy SchwobMegan SlaybackErin Zugelder

2. Introduction Video • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C_Wpcb7G52I

3. The Development of CITES • CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) • The need for CITES was not always evident. • International wildlife trade makes billions of dollars annually. • Drafted after a meeting of the IUCN (The World Conservation Union) • Entered into force on July 1st, 1975

4. What is CITES? • Goal: “ To ensure that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival.” • Wild plant and animal trade crosses international borders • Helps to prevent over-exploitation • Now protects over 30,000 species of animals and plants • International agreement that member states agree to voluntarily • While becoming a member does require the “party” to be legally bound to the convention, CITES remains a framework for individual development.

5. What is CITES (continued) • After becoming a member the party must adopt its own domestic legislation while following the provisions of the convention. • In order to become a member a government must send a declaration of membership to the “Depositary Government.” (Switzerland) • Unites Arab Emirates- only country to withdraw membership • - became a member once again 2 ½ years later. • The Conference to the Parties of CITES is the supreme decision-making body • Each party must designate a Management Authority and Scientific Authority • Give licenses to parties telling them what they can import, export, re-export, and introduce to their area. • Species are included in three appendices based on the level of protection needed.

6. Appendices of the CITES text

7. Appendix I, II, III • All flora and fauna that are protected within CITES are either placed on Appendix I, II, or III • Species are categorized based on how threatened the species is in regards to international trade. • Appendix I face the most threatening conditions. • Most protected under international law • Face the real possibility of extinction • Exportation and trade are banned on these species.

8. Appendix II contains species that are not in immediate danger of extinction. • Still need to be monitored because if not, they could easily become exploited leading to extinction. • The trade on these species is highly regulated but not restricted. Permits are required for trade and exportation.

9. Appendix III lists animals that are not as threatened by extinction but have been placed under protection within their native country. • Native countries have come to CITES to request extra protection and help in monitoring the trade/exportation of these species.

10. Species within the appendices: • Appendix I: • Primates, large cats, bears, large mammals (many from Africa), large reptiles, large birds, mahogany. • Appendix II: • Most reptiles, corals, cacti. • Appendix III: • Geographically dispersed animals for example the golden jackal from India.

11. Effects of CITES in the United States

12. CITES in the United States • U.S. Endangered Species Act of 1973 • This Act repealed the Endangered Species Conservation Act of 1969. • The 1969 Act was an amendment to the Endangered Species Preservation Act of 1966. • Interested in preventing the extinction of endangered and threatened species on American soil. • Focuses on preservation of habitat as important to preserving the species.

13. Responsibility for implementing this Act was given to Secretary of the Interior as well as Secretary of Commerce. • Given the responsibility to decide which species should be placed on the endangered species list as well as what measures should be taken to protect them. • Secretary of the Interior delegated this responsibility to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. • This is where the current authority for creating and maintaining regulations resides.

14. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services • Established two departments in response to this responsibility: • Division of Scientific Authority • Division of Management Authority • Two departments work together to maintain CITES policies in the United States.

15. Division of Scientific Authority • Give scientific advice for issuing permits for different species. • Give advice for which animals to be recommended for protection within CITES and domestic endangered lists. • Implementation of the Wild Bird Conservation Act. • Give authorities the tools to identify species in the wild. • Contribute to domestic and international scientific discussions.

16. Division of Management Authority • Concerned with the physical enforcement of the domestic laws. • Supervise and manage the international permit program. • Monitor the trade of species placed under protection. • Represent the U.S. at CITES meetings and send reports about situations in the U.S. • Two branches within DMA: • Branch of Permits- deal with issuing and monitoring permits. • Branch of Operations- deals with day to day policies.

17. Plant Rescue Centers • Established because of the Plant Rescue Center Program of 1978. • Used in protecting flora which was still being abused even after the basic policies of CITES was established. • 78 centers across the U.S. and Puerto Rico. • Include botanical gardens, zoos, arboretums.

18. Wild Bird Conservation • Established by the Wild Bird Conservation Act of 1992. • Monitor the importation of exotic birds. • Make sure all exotic birds that are imported have a permit and that those permits fall within CITES regulations.

19. Creation of CITES • Ideas for CITES first started being formed during the 1960s • International discussion on controlling trade of wildlife was fairly new • United States was the lead state

20. Creation on CITES • CITES drafted in 1963 • Result of a resolution at a meeting for The World Conservation Union (IUCN) • Text was agreed upon • Washington DC • March 3, 1973 • 80 countries • United States first to ratify CITES on Sept. 13, 1973 • CITES entered into force • July 1, 1975 • Text of convention written in Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish

21. Creation of CITES • Provides framework for each country to follow • Does not replace law • Among largest international agreements with largest membership • 175 parties • Parties meet every two or three years • Review implementation of Convention • Hosted by one of the Parties

23. International Governmental Organizations • International governmental organizations in general cooperation with CITES • Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) • United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) • World Customs Organization (WCO) • Task Force of Co-operative Enforcement Operations directed at Illegal Trade in Wild Fauna and Flora (Lusaka Agreement Task Force) • The World Conservation Union (IUCN)

24. Liaison Group of Biodiversity • CITES is a part of the Liaison Group of Biodiversity-related Conventions • Established in 2002 • “Enhance coherence and cooperation in implementation (of biodiversity matters)” • Comprises the heads of the secretariats of six biodiversity-related conventions • CBD • CITES • CMS • ITPGR • Ramsar • WHC

25. Non-government organizations

26. Support for CITES • The Parties (aka Member Nations) • Trust Fund • NGOs • National • International

27. NGOs • How do they help? • Statistics • Voice

28. CITES NGOs 12th meeting (Santiago, Chile) 15th meeting (Doha, Qatar)

29. National NGO • “Think Globally, Act Locally” • Tactics • Bills • AB820 • Other tactics • Ordinances, lawsuits, and funding

30. International NGO • Mission Statement • Very outspoken at 15th Meeting of the Parties • What did they say?

31. International Oceans Campaigner Oliver Knowles • Parties choosing $ over animals • Why?

32. Is the current policy effective? Why, or why not?

33. CITES Policy • Main objective of the Convention is to promote species conservation • CITES meets once every couple of years to enact or lift trade restrictions on animals and plants. • The results of the Convention are both globally and legally binding.

34. Indicators of Success • No species listed under CITES has gone extinct in the past 30 years • Has the largest membership of any environmental convention agreement -175 Parties • Situation of many species has significantly improved since being listed on CITES.

35. Success Story: Ivory Trade • In the1970s, ivory trade was leading to a decline in elephant populations • In 1989, CITES banned international trade of ivory • Since ban was put into effect, elephant populations have been gradually recovering

36. Limitations of CITES: Tiger Trade • Although CITES banned tiger trade in 1987, wild tiger populations have decreased by almost half since the ban was put into effect. • Tigers received an Appendix I listing and a public awareness campaign, but the species still faces the problem of illegal trade.

37. Limitations of CITES: Tiger Trade • Traditional medicine • Jewelry, novelties, and “lucky” amulets • Some of the trade is domestic -CITES is solely an international trade convention

38. Criticism of CITES Policies • Implementation difficulties • Policies only cover one of many threats to wildlife • Penalties for violating CITES’ policies are weak • Some Parties have failed to adhere to their responsibilities

39. CITES • Steadily gaining awareness and acceptance throughout the world • Convention is aware of its weaknesses and is committed to fixing them • Determined to develop its principles and strategy to meet the needs of its Parties and the environment in order to protect the world's most vulnerable flora and fauna

40. Policy Modifications? • Due to the inclusiveness of CITES language there doesn’t seem to be any modifications necessary • Countries that have ratified the agreement, or the equivalent of ratification per their national criteria and constitutions have abided its terms • For the US specifically the ESA, rather than CITES, is usually referenced in litigation

41. Countries without CITES • Countries who have not become party to CITES are not countries that seemingly play a huge role in the trade of endangered species • Only 1 case of denunciation of CITES

42. Works Cited • "About FAO." FAO: FAO Home. Web. 21 Nov. 2011. <http://www.fao.org/about/en/>. • "Biodiversity Liaison Group." CBD Home. Web. 20 Nov. 2011. <http://www.cbd.int/blg/>. • CITES Secretariat. “CITES Species.” Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. 20 Nov. 2011 <http://www.cites.org/eng/disc/species.php>. • CITES Secretariat. "Cooperation and Partnerships." Welcome to CITES. Web. 20 Nov. 2011. <http://www.cites.org/eng/disc/coop.php>. • CITES Secretariat. “The CITES Appendices.” Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. 20 Nov. 2011 <http://www.cites.org/eng/app/ index.php>. • "C.I.T.E.S. Treaty." Conservation Treaty Support Fund. Web. 20 Nov. 2011. <http://www.conservationtreaty.org/cites.html>. • "CITES." Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Web. 20 Nov. 2011. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CITES>. • "IUCN - Mission and Vision." IUCN - Home. Web. 21 Nov. 2011. <http://www.iucn.org/about/union/secretariat/offices/rowa/rowa_about/iucnwame_missionandvision/>. • "Treaties List." U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Home. Web. 20 Nov. 2011. <http://www.fws.gov/laws/lawsdigest/treaty.html>. • "UNCTAD.ORG Mission Statement." UNCTAD.ORG Home. Web. 21 Nov. 2011. <http://www.unctad.org/templates/Page.asp?intItemID=4031>. • U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. “CITES in the United States.” 31 Oct. 2011. Dept. of the Interior. 20 Nov. 2011 <http://www.fws.gov/international/DMA_DSA/CITES/CITES_ home.html>.  • U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. “Division of Management Authority (DMA): What Are We?” 31 Jan. 2011. Dept. of the Interior. 20 Nov. 2011 <http://www.fws.gov/international/ DMA_DSA/DMA_home.html>. • U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. “Division of Scientific Authority (DSA): Who Are We?” 31 Jan. 2011. Dept. of the Interior. 20 Nov. 2011 <http://www.fws.gov/international/DMA_ DSA/DSA_home.html>. • U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Endangered Species Act of 1973. Dec. 1973. 20 Nov. 2011 < http://www.fws.gov/laws/lawsdigest/ESACT.HTML>. • Wild Flora and Fauna. Web. 21 Nov. 2011. <http://www.lusakaagreement.org/partnership.html>. • "World Customs Organization - About Us - WCO Mission Statement." WCO Home. Web. 21 Nov. 2011. <http://www.wcoomd.org/home_about_us_strategic_plan_mission_statement.htm>.