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Update: T axus spp. and the CITES 14 th Conference of the Parties (June, 2007) (Ken Farr, Canadian Forest Service CITES Scientific Authority). Brief History: CITES and Taxus species.
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Update: Taxus spp. and the CITES 14th Conference of the Parties (June, 2007)(Ken Farr, Canadian Forest Service CITES Scientific Authority)
Brief History: CITES and Taxus species • 1994, 9th Conference of the Parties: the Asian species Taxus wallichiana was listed in Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). • A species listed in Appendix II requires CITES export permits before international trade is permitted. Permits are issued based on a finding by the National CITES Scientific Authority of non-detriment to the wild population of the species.
Brief History: CITES and Taxus sp. • 2002: In response to concern about inability to distinguish biomass in trade, the Scientific Authority of the United States consulted with Taxus range countries on a proposal to include all species of Taxus in Appendix II. • Based on information on the species status obtained from range countries, and a review of the genus, the four North American species of Taxus (T. brevifolia, T. canadensis, T. globosa, T. floridana) were eliminated from further investigation or consideration.
Brief History: CITES and Taxus sp. • In 2004 at CoP13: T. chinensis, T. cuspidata, T. fuana, T. sumatrana, and all infraspecific taxa of these species were included in CITES Appendix II. • An annotation to exclude artificially propagated specimens of these species from regulation was adopted as follows: • “Whole artificially propagated plants in pots or other small containers, each consignment being accompanied by a label or document stating the name of the taxon or taxa and the text 'artificially propagated', are not subject to the provisions of the Convention.”
Brief History: CITES and Taxus sp. • It was later concluded by the CITES Secretariat that the annotation's reference to "whole plants" was contrary to the Convention (i.e. the annotation is illegal). • October 2006: the CITES Secretariat presented a draft proposal to delete the annotation regarding plants in pots. • Canada intervened, noting that deletion of the annotation would not solve the problem (inclusion of horticultural and plantation material) it had been intended to address. A revision of the annotation was suggested.
Looking Forward: CITES CoP14. • June 2007: 14th CITES Conference of the Parties will take place. Two differing Taxus sp. proposals are on the agenda: • Prop.# 36: (proposed by the United States) seeks to exempt all parts and derivatives of artificially propagated T. cuspidata cultivars and hybrids (e.g. T. x media) from CITES. • A good outcome for Canada if adopted − exports ofT. x media biomass and semi-refined extract will not require CITES export permits. • Questionable if range countries will support the proposition, given existing concerns regarding identification of origin of biomass in trade.
Looking Forward: CITES and Taxus sp. • Proposal # 37: proposed by the Swiss government on behalf of the Secretariat. • This proposal seeks to limit the existing annotation exempting plants in pots to T. cuspidata cultivars and hybrids (e.g. T. x media) • Proposal would not exempt biomass and semi-refined extract from regulation by CITES • Outcome is not as desirable for Canadian producers, but more likely to be accepted by range countries.
Implications for T. canadensis (Canada Yew) • With regard to the two proposals described, there are no implications. • The management and conservation status of T. canadensis within CITES is unchanged since review in 2002. • Look-alike issue (possibility of including a species under CITES regulation if it cannot be readily distinguished in trade from an already listed species) remains a concern.
Update CoP14 (The Hague, June 2007) • At CoP14 a proposition to exempt artificially propagated Taxus hybrids and cultivars was voted on and accepted by the Parties, with the provision that the status of hybrids and cultivars be examined by the Plants Committee). The annotation reads as follows … • Artificially propagated hybrids and cultivars of Taxus cuspidata live in pots or other small containers, each consignment being accompanied by a label or document stating the name of the taxon or taxa and the text 'artificially propagated', are not subject to the provisions of the Convention."
Update: Taxus spp. and the CITES 14th Conference of the Parties (June, 2007)