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Wildlife Trade Policy Reviews. Madagascar. Introduction. Madagascar ratified the convention in 1975 Rich in biodiversity with high endemism: 90% of animals and 80% of plants
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Wildlife Trade Policy Reviews Madagascar
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
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
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.
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
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
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.
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.
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
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
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.
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
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