1. Introduction to CITES

2. Introduction
CITES is the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora.
CITES aims to ensure that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants do not threaten their survival.

3. Unit Objectives Explain the scope and purpose of CITES
Know the composition of the 3 CITES Appendices
Illustrate how CITES regulates trade
Discuss the role of Customs and border control in implementing CITES

4. Unit Outline Introduction Scope and Intention of CITES
THE 3 CITES Appendices
Regulating Trade under CITES
Role of Customs & Border Control
Conclusion

5. CITES has been in operation for over 35 years
How CITES works
CITES is the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora
CITES was signed on 3 March 1973, and entered into force on 1 July 1975
CITES has been in operation for over 35 years

6. Status of Ratification in the Caribbean
All CARIFORUM States are listed as parties to CITES except for Haiti.*
*Refer to Caribbean MEAs Ratification Status fact sheet.

7. How CITES works
CITES is an international convention that combines wildlife and trade themes with a legally binding instrument for achieving conservation and sustainable use objectives

8. How CITES works
The purpose of CITES is to ensure that wild fauna and flora in international trade are not exploited unsustainably

9. How CITES works
The Convention establishes an international legal framework together with common procedural mechanisms for the prevention of international commercial trade in endangered species, and for an effective regulation of international trade in others

10. How CITES works
This framework and common procedural mechanism is now used by 175 countries to regulate and monitor international trade in wild resources

11. How CITES works
Species subject to CITES regulation are divided amongst three Appendices I II
III

12. How CITES works Appendix I Species threatened with extinction
International (commercial) trade is generally prohibited
Almost 530 animal species and some 300 plant species

13. How CITES works Appendix II
Species not necessarily threatened with extinction, but for which trade must be controlled to avoid their becoming threatened
Species that resemble species already included in Appendix I or II
International trade is permitted but regulated
More than 4,400 animal species and more than 28,000 plant species

14. How CITES works Appendix III
Species for which a country is asking Parties to help with its protection
International trade is permitted but regulated (less restrictive than Appendix II)
Some 255 animal species and 7 plant species

15. Trade - fauna Primates Hunting trophies Birds of prey
Parrots & parakeets
Crocodilians
Snakes & lizards
Turtles & tortoises
Live aquarium specimens
Food fishes
Spiders & butterflies
Molluscs & corals

16. Fauna - Caribbean Examples
Caribbean Flamingo
Sisserou Parrot
Turtle – Appendix I
Sisserou Parrot - Appendix I
Flamingo - Appendix II
Boa – Appendix II
Boa Constrictor
Green Sea turtle

17. Trade - flora Orchids Cacti & succulents Bulbs (Snowdrops, Cyclamens)
Medicinal plants
Ornamental trees
Timber species

18. Flora - Caribbean Examples
cactus
Orchids
Cacti – Appendix I and II
Orchids – Appendix II
Mahogany – Appendix II
Tree Fern – Appendix II
St.Lucia Tree Fern
Cuban Mahogany

19. Regulating Trade under CITES
CITES regulates the export, re-export and import of live and dead animals and plants and their parts and derivatives (for listed species only) through a system of permits and certificates These permits or certificates may only be issued if certain conditions are met and which must be presented when leaving or entering a country For Appendix I and II-listed species, the most important condition is that international trade must not be detrimental to their survival in the wild

20. CITES Authorities
All countries that join the Convention must adopt legislation for its implementation The role and power of authorities responsible for implementation of CITES is defined in National Legislation The Management Authority in your country should clarify which legislation applies Other types of legislation (e.g. veterinary or phyto-sanitary certificates, import-export licenses) also apply to CITES specimens and may in certain cases even be more effective when dealing with illegal shipments

21. CITES Authorities
Management Authority - A national management authority designated to implement the Convention.
Scientific Authority-
A national scientific authority designated to advise the Management Authority.
Enforcement Authority –
An agency designated with responsibility for enforcing the provisions of the Convention

22. Common Procedural Mechanisms
Similar authorities
Similar requirements
Similar procedures
COMMON PROCEDURAL MECHANISMS
Similar documents
Similar rules and regulations

23. Role of Customs & Border Control
No role is specified for Customs in the Text of the Convention However, the Convention specifies that trade requires the presentation of valid permits or certificates, which usually involves Customs verification

24. Role of Customs check the validity of the documents submitted
Customs and Border Control officials:
check the validity of the documents submitted
ensure that they correspond to the actual goods
combat fraud and check that prohibition and restriction measures are complied with
collect duties and taxes
conduct investigations at traders’ premises
carry out checks on the transport of goods within the country

25. Role of Customs
A Customs officer is usually the first (and sometimes the only) level of inspection of shipments of CITES specimens
This places a great burden on Customs to verify that trade is in accordance with CITES, detect fraud and illegal trade where it occurs, and inform the Management Authority

26. Class Exercise
What are the challenges for Customs of administering CITES within the region given the diversity in topography and culture of CARIFORUM states Participants will discuss in small groups and consider the situation in countries with land borders as well as island states

27. Caribbean Perspective
Import Control by Customs involves inspection of CITES documentation and ensuring phyto-sanitary or veterinary certification.
Apart from ensuring compliance with the provisions of CITES there is also the need to prevent the introduction of Invasive Alien Species ( IAS)

28. Caribbean Perspective
Without compromising the import controls an equal emphasis should be on export control as there is also a risk of illegal trade in flora and fauna specimen being taken out of the countries of the region.
Probable export risk situations include:
Out going tourists ( cruise and air passengers)
Crew members ( regular calls by tourist ships)
Yachts and pleasure craft ( coastal moorings)
Unmonitored land borders

29. CITES Complexity More than 32,000 species are listed in the Appendices
CITES comprises 25 Articles, plus Resolutions and Decisions
National legislation is used to implement CITES, and it can have stricter measures
Much additional information can be found in official Notifications, reports and proposals
The evolving nature of CITES means changes in coverage, rules and procedures from year to year
CITES is usually not the only task of Management and Scientific Authorities
For Customs, CITES is but one of many responsibilities

30. …collaboration is necessary
In carrying out their work, CITES authorities and Customs authorities are not alone
Experts may assist in the identification of specimens
The CITES Secretariat and various CITES Management Authorities produce manuals on how to identify species
Customs laboratories or other scientific institutions may analyze certain products to determine whether they contain CITES specimens
CITES authorities can work together to solve the problem of what to do with seized specimens
Training materials and courses are available, as well as other resources

31. …collaboration is necessary
Inter-agency collaboration and cooperation at the national level are essential
CITES Authorities
Customs
Police
Judiciary
Resource sectors
National-level partnerships are also very important for the effective
implementation of the Convention, in particular those between
implementing agencies. Such partnerships include close
communication and collaboration between CITES Authorities
(between Management Authorities, between
Scientific Authorities, and between Management and
Scientific Authorities); and between CITES Authorities and
Customs, police and the judiciary; and between CITES
Authorities and other branches of Government
(such as resource sectors – e.g. fisheries and forestry).
Partnerships between CITES Authorities and the
private sector can also be very important in securing
compliance with the Convention.

32. Summary
CITES is an international agreement between governments that ensures that no species of wild fauna or flora is unsustainably exploited for international trade
The Convention establishes the international legal framework and common procedural mechanisms for the prevention of international trade in endangered species, and for an effective regulation of international trade in others

33. Summary
CITES regulates international trade in specimens of species of wild fauna and flora listed in its Appendices on the basis of a system of permits and certificates which are issued only when certain conditions are met, and which must be presented when leaving AND entering a country
For Appendix-I listed species, international trade is generally prohibited, and for Appendix-II and –III listed species, international trade is permitted but regulated
Inter-agency collaboration is essential for the effective implementation of CITES

34. Conclusion Answer any questions and discuss any areas of doubt
Review Unit Objectives
Link to next Unit on Practical Aspects of MEA Enforcement.

35. CITES Secretariat Geneva www.cites.org