CITES protects wild plants or animals by setting controls on international trade so that trade will not threaten the survival of the species. Permits are required for the import or export of specimens of CITES protected species. This protection applies to the CITES-listed species in any form: alive or dead.
What is CITES and what is its purpose?
Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. CITES is an international agreement, signed by 184 parties in 1973, designed to ensure that international trade in animals and plants does not threaten their survival in the wild.
How do I get a CITES permit in Canada?
For information about CITES permits, visit Permits for trade in protected species. For assistance with the application form, contact [email protected] or call 1-855-869-8670.
Do I need a CITES certificate?
You must apply for a permit to import, export or re-export annex A, B or C specimens. Unless you have the correct CITES documentation, you should not: ship or travel with specimens. make payments for their purchase.
Who enforces CITES in Canada?
Environment Canada’s Wildlife Enforcement Directorate is responsible for enforcement of the Federal law that implements CITES in Canada, namely the Wild Animal and Plant Protection and Regulation of International and Interprovincial Trade Act.
How does CITES work?
CITES works by subjecting international trade in specimens of selected species to certain controls. These require that all import, export, re-export and introduction from the sea of species covered by the Convention has to be authorized through a licensing system.
What is an example of CITES?
While the more charismatic creatures, such as bears and whales, may be the better known examples of CITES species, the most numerous groups include many less popularized plants and animals, such as aloes, corals, mussels and frogs.
What is protected under CITES?
CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) 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.
Is Canada a part of the CITES?
Almost all countries in the world are members of CITES. Canada has been involved in CITES since its beginning in 1975. Canada plays a leadership role in CITES: Canada has been Chair for several committees of CITES.
How long is a CITES permit valid?
The period of validity of permits should be specified in the legislation (export and re-export permits are valid for import purposes only if presented within six months of issue at the most; the validity of import permits should not exceed twelve months).
WHO issues CITES permits?
Permits to import/export CITES/Endangered Species into/from the United States and re-export certificates are issued by the Office of Management Authority of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS). Information on wildlife and plants, including lists of endangered species, may be obtained from FWS.
What happens if you violate CITES?
The vast majority of animals that are in the wildlife trade are not protected by CITES. If a party violates the convention, CITES can respond with sanctions, which prevent a country from trading in CITES-listed species. But countries are rarely sanctioned and the process can become highly politicized.
What is the main objective of CITES?
CITES is an international agreement between governments with the objective of the preservation of the planet’s plants and animals by ensuring that the international trade in their specimens does not threaten their survival.
What is the difference between traffic and CITES?
The Wildlife Trade Monitoring Network (TRAFFIC)
TRAFFIC is an NGO (CITES on the other hand is a multilateral treaty) working globally on trade in wild animals and plants in the context of both biodiversity conservation and sustainable development.
Is CITES legally binding?
International trade in CITES-listed species rests on three pillars: sustainability, legality and traceability with the bulk of the work taking place at national level. Although CITES is legally binding on States it is not self-executing.
Is CITES a treaty or law?
The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) entered into force in 1975, and became the only treaty to ensure that international trade in plants and animals does not threaten their survival in the wild.
Who participates in CITES?
As of August 2022, the convention has 184 parties, including 183 states and the European Union. The CITES Convention includes provisions and rules for trade with non-Parties.
Why is CITES effective?
CITES is very limited in its potential effectiveness as a conservation tool. Not only does it fail to address issues of habitat loss, but it also fails to create mechanisms to control the supply of wildlife products or any direct means to influence consumer demand.
Which countries are not part of CITES?
North Korea and South Sudan are the countries which are not part of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). As such no regulations apply with regards to trade in endangered species. CITES is a multilateral treaty to protect endangered plants and animals.
How is CITES enforced?
How is CITES enforced? The CITES Secretariat does not enforce the treaty. Instead, each Party has adopted so-called CITES implementing legislation—national laws that allow the Party to implement and enforce the treaty. In the United States, CITES is implemented and enforced primarily through the Endangered Species Act.
What is the definition CITES?
ˈsīt. cited; citing. transitive verb. : to call upon officially or authoritatively to appear (as before a court) : to quote by way of example, authority, or proof.