BRIEFING: PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE OF WATER AND ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS 19 – 20 March

CITES COP 16: OUTCOMES 2

PURPOSE Inform the Portfolio Committee on the outcomes of the recent CITES CoP 16: Indicate the implication of the decisions/outcomes of the CoP on South Africa; Request support from the PC on implementation of the Convention Inform the PC of SA hosting CITES CoP 17 in

BACKGROUND (I/II) The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) aims to: Ensure that international trade in listed species of wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival. The primary focus of CITES is: Regulate the international trade in species listed in three Appendices (I, II and III) according to the extent to which they are threatened by the international trade. 4

BACKGROUND (II/II) CITES COP meets every three years to: Assess the implementation of the provisions; Make recommendations to improve the effectiveness of the Convention; and Amend CITES Appendices. CITES COP 16 took place from 03 – 14 March 2013 in Bangkok (Thailand); Approximately 75 working documents and 71 proposals to amend the Appendices were discussed during the CoP. 5

SOUTH AFRICA - POSITION Approach to South Africa’s position: Positions underpinned by sustainable use principles; Sustainable use is enshrined in the Constitution and National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act (NEMBA), Act 10 of 2004 as an integral part of conservation; South Africa therefore supported proposals and working documents, which promote sustainable use of natural resources, provided they have a scientific basis and are aimed at securing the long term conservation of the species. 6 SECRET

CITES PROPOSALS AND WORKING DOCUMENTS (I) 7 Rules of Procedure (RoP) Currently – Rule 25: “..although it shall not normally be used, any Representative may request a secret ballot for other matters. The Presiding Officer shall ask whether the request is seconded. If it is seconded by 10 Representatives the vote shall be by secret ballot.” History: African elephant down-listing and ivory trade proposals – adopted through secret votes EU proposed amendment to require a simple majority to decide whether a secret vote can be used Mexico proposed amendment to require one third of Parties to support a request for secret vote

CITES PROPOSALS AND WORKING DOCUMENTS (II) 8 Rules of Procedure (RoP)….continue South Africa raised point of order – Working Group established Final decision taken through secret vote: Majority of Parties supported that two-third majority required to amend the RoP Proposals to amend the RoP not adopted & proposed amendments to these proposals also not adopted WAY FORWARD: South Africa to prepare proposal to next CoP to amend the RoP to clarify that two-thirds majority is required to amend the RoP

CITES PROPOSALS AND WORKING DOCUMENTS (III) Species covered by Proposal ProponentProposals Loxodonta africana (African elephant) Burkina Faso, Togo, Mali & Kenya To amend the annotation for Loxodonta africana “no further proposals to allow trade in elephant ivory from any populations already in Appendix II shall be submitted to the Conference of the Parties for the period from COP14 and ending nine years from the date of the single sale of ivory that is to take place in accordance with provisions in paragraphs.” WITHDRAWN 9

CITES PROPOSALS AND WORKING DOCUMENTS (IV) Species involved ProponentProposals Loxodonta africana (African elephant) Benin, Burkina Faso, Mali, Liberia Nigeria and Kenya To amend decision on decision making mechanism for future trade in elephant ivory. Amended – Decision proposed by CITES Secretariat adopted. Consultation with all elephant range States to take place during development of mechanism Loxodonta africana (African elephant) United Republic of Tanzania To transfer the population of the African elephant of the United Republic of Tanzania from Appendix I to Appendix II WITHDRAWN PRIOR TO COP Loxodonta africana Standing Committee New Resolution adopted. 10

CITES PROPOSALS AND WORKING DOCUMENTS (V) Species covered ProponentProposals Ceratotherium simum simum (White rhino) KenyaTo amend the annotation for Ceratotherium simum simum to include: “ “Hunting trophies from South Africa and Swaziland shall be subjected to zero export quota until at least COP18”. WITHDRAWN Leopard (Panthera pardus) Botswana, South Africa Amendments to Resolution Conf Quotas for leopard hunting trophies and skins for personal use. Adopted with decision to report on difficulties experienced and possibility to use similar approach for other species 11

CITES PROPOSALS AND WORKING DOCUMENTS (VI) Species covered by Proposal ProponentProposals Hoodia spp.South Africa, Botswana, Namibia. To amend annotation #9 related to Hoodia spp. Adopted by consensus Carcharhinus longimanus (Oceanic white-tip shark). Brazil, Colombia, USA. Inclusion of Carcharhinus longimanus into Appendix II. Adopted through a vote (secret) 92 Supported, 42 Opposed, 8 Abstained 12

CITES PROPOSALS AND WORKING DOCUMENTS (VII) Species covered by Proposal ProponentProposals Lamna nasus (Porbeagle shark). Comoros, Croatia, Denmark & Egypt. Inclusion of Lamna nasus into Appendix II. Adopted through a vote (secret) 93 Supported, 39 opposed, 8 abstained Sphyrna lewini, S. mokarran and S. zygaena (Hammerhead sharks) Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Denmark & Egypt Inclusion in Appendix II Adopted through a vote (secret) 91 supported, 39 opposed, 8 abstentions 13

CITES PROPOSALS AND WORKING DOCUMENTS (VIII) Species covered by Proposal ProponentProposals Pristis microdon (Freshwater sawfish) AustraliaTransfer from Appendix II to Appendix I Adopted by consensus Manta spp. (Manta rays) Brazil, Colombia and Ecuador To include Manta spp. (manta rays) in Appendix II, subject to an annotation Adopted through a vote (Secret) 96 supported, 23 opposed, 7 abstentions 14

CITES PROPOSALS AND WORKING DOCUMENTS (IX) Species covered by Proposal ProponentProposals Osyris lanceolata (East african sandalwood) KenyaInclusion in Appendix II Amended – split listing adopted by consensus. Only East African populations included in App II listing Decisions - Rhino Working group established at CoP to draft decisions Decisions directed at all Parties, Mozambique, South Africa and Vietnam, the CITES Secretariat, the Rhino Working Group and the Standing Committee 15

CITES PROPOSALS AND WORKING DOCUMENTS (X) Species / Issue covered ProponentProposals Ursus maritimus Polar bear United States of America Transfer from Appendix II to Appendix I Rejected through a vote. 38 supported, 42 opposed, 46 abstentions CITES & Livelihoods Standing Committee Resolution adopted to guide Parties to assess the impact of CITES listings on poor rural communities and to provide guidance in terms of possible mitigation measures to address these impacts 16

Reporting of seizures and sharing of information Use of specialized investigative techniques DNA analysis Consultation with importing Parties Stricter measures for re-exports Demand reduction strategies Community involvement and awareness raising among custom officials RHINO DECISIONS

Directed to Vietnam Progress with Joint Action Plan National legislation to regulate alteration of trophies Consumer behavior research Develop & implement demand reduction strategies RHINO DECISIONS

Directed to Mozambique Report on implementation of Res Conf 9.14 Implement national legislation to strengthen enforcement Directed to South Africa and Mozambique Bilateral engagements RHINO DECISIONS

South Africa hosted and participating in side events: Rhino (3 events) UNEP/GEF project ‘Strengthening Law Enforcement Capabilities to Combat Wildlife Crime for Conservation and Sustainable Use of Species in South Africa (target: Rhinoceros)’ CITES & livelihoods SA will be hosting CITES CoP 17 in Details and host City to be discussed by DEA management. SIDE EVENTS

NETWORK OF PARLIAMENTARIANS Chair of the PCWEA Adv de Lange met:  Chair of Tanzania’s PC of Natural Resources agreed to initiate a network of parliamentarians.  The network to involve Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and another SADC State.  SADC Ministers (Zim, SA, Namibia) nominated Namibia to be part of the network.  Meeting to be held in SA preferable KNP.  Officials will present sustainable utilisation approach.

NETWORK OF PARLIAMENTARIANS cont.. Adv de Lange also met with Col Winai Sompong MP of Thailand:  They plan to visit SA in May/June.  This is being planned with the Deputy Speaker of Parliament THANK YOU