Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES)

The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) also known as Washington Convention, is an international agreement between governments. Its aim is to ensure that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten the survival of the species in the wild.

CITES was first formed in 1973 and entered into force in 1975. Today, it accords protection to over 30,000 species of animals and plants, whether they are traded as live specimens, fur coats or dried herbs. CITES is an international legally binding agreement to which countries adhere voluntarily.

How does it work?

Parties (countries that have agreed to CITES) are required to adopt domestic legislation to implement and enforce its provisions. They regulate wildlife trade through a system of permits and certificates that can be issued and accepted by Parties. Through this regulatory system, CITES accords varying degrees of protection to more than 30,000 species of animals and plants listed in 3 appendices:

• Appendix-1:lists 1200 threatened to extinction species. International trade of animals listed in this list is banned worldwide and permitted only in exceptional circumstances
• Appendix-2:list 21000 species which are not threatened but are close to threats. The international trade of these species is strictly regulated.
• Appendix-3: lists some 170 species that are protected in at least one country, which has asked other Parties for assistance in controlling trade.

Achievements

Many wildlife species would have become extinct without CITES protection. Significant trade reductions have occurred following listings, preventing species such as whales, sea turtles and tigers from becoming endangered. Recovery programmes for species such as the Nile crocodile have used CITES systems to restore sustainable legal trade from ranching operations.

CITES established quotas and strict controls on rhino horn exports from South Africa and Swaziland in the 1990s and early 2000s, leading to a reduction in poaching rates. More recently, the threatened extinction of the saiga antelope led to concerted CITES action, spearheaded by the Saiga Conservation Alliance under the Convention’s auspices. This collaboration helped populations start to recover in Kazakhstan after a 95% mortality rate due to disease outbreak.

Issues with Cites

While CITES has seen many conservation successes since its inception, major challenges remain. There has been an alarming rise in wildlife crime and illegal trading globally. High-value species like tigers, elephants, rhinos and timber trees are still hugely threatened despite CITES protections. Insufficient resourcing, corruption, lack of political will and low awareness hamper CITES implementation in many countries.