The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) 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 their survival.
A hundred and sixty-nine countries have signed up to the convention. The Netherlands ratified CITES in 1985, and the agreements it made are established in the Flora and Fauna Act. A species may be listed in one of three Appendices, which offer varying degrees of trade regulation.
The fourteenth meeting of the Conference of Parties (COP 14) to CITES will take place in The
Every three years the CoP meets to review the implementation of the Convention. The meetings provide
• Review progress in the conservation of species included in the Appendices
• Consider (and where appropriate adopt) proposals to amend lists of species in Appendices I and II
• Consider discussion documents and reports from the Parties, permanent committees, the Secretariat and working groups
• Recommend measures to improve
• Make provisions (including the adoption of a budget) necessary to allow the Secretariat to function effectively
SOUTH AFRICA AS A PARTY TO THE CONVENTION ON INTERNATIONAL TRADE IN ENDANGERED SPECIES OF WILD FAUNA AND FLORA (CITES)
Background information on CITES
CITES was drafted as a result of a resolution adopted in 1963 at a meeting of members of The World Conservation Union (IUCN). The text of the Convention was finally agreed at a meeting of representatives of 80 countries in Washington DC., United States of
Annually, international wildlife trade is estimated to be worth billions of dollars and to include hundreds of millions of plant and animal specimens. The trade is diverse, ranging from live animals and plants to a vast array of wildlife products derived from them, including food products, exotic leather goods, wooden musical instruments, timber, tourist curios and medicines. Levels of exploitation of some animal and plant species are high and the trade in them, together with other factors, such as habitat loss, is capable of heavily depleting their populations and even bringing some species close to extinction. Many wildlife species in trade are not endangered, but the existence of an agreement to ensure the sustainability of the trade is important in order to safeguard these resources for the future.
CITES works by subjecting international trade in specimens of selected species to certain controls. All imports, exports, re-exports and introductions from the sea of species covered by the Convention has to be authorized through a permitting system. A specimen of a CITES-listed species may be imported into or exported (or re-exported) from a State party to the Convention only if the appropriate documentation has been obtained and presented for clearance at the port of entry or exit. There is some variation of the requirements from one country to another and it is always necessary to check on the national laws that may be stricter.
The Convention accords varying degrees of protection to more than 30,000 species of animals and plants, whether they are traded as live specimens, fur coats or dried herbs. The species are listed in three
Appendices I, II and III
• Appendix I includes species threatened with extinction. Trade in specimens of these species is permitted only in exceptional circumstances.
• Appendix II includes species not necessarily threatened with extinction, but in which trade must be controlled in order to avoid utilization incompatible with their survival
• Appendix III contains species that are protected in at least one country, which has asked other CITES Parties for assistance in controlling the trade. Changes to Appendix III follow a distinct procedure from changes to Appendices I and II, as each Party's is entitled to make unilateral amendments to it.
South Africa and CITES
South Africa can claim with justification to be a world leader in the field of wildlife conservation. The country's commitment to international conservation efforts is illustrated by its active participation in various multilateral environmental agreements (MEA's) such as CITES, the Convention on Migratory Species and the Convention on Biological Diversity. The enormous natural potential South Africa has and the leading role it plays in wildlife conservation
South Africa has been involved in CITES from the early stages of its inception. A South African delegation participated in the 1973 Washington Conference and South Africa submitted its instrument of ratification on 15 July 1975 to the Swiss government. When the convention came into force for South Africa on 13 October
Responsibility and coordination
The Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism is the central coordinating and
In terms of the South African Constitution the responsibility for the protection of fauna and flora, and consequently the control of the import and export of fauna and flora species, is vested in the provincial conservation departments. Provincial nature conservation authorities have therefore also been designated as CITES management authorities.
South Africa is well known for its diversity of plant and animal communities that
White rhinoceros
South Africa presently hosts the most stable population of southern white rhinoceros in
The first four white rhinos were reintroduced into the Kruger National Park in 1960. In the ensuing 12-year period, 345 white rhinos were relocated from the Umfolozi Game Reserve to the Kruger National
Presently the South African population stands at more the 10 000, distributed among state-controlled conservation areas and private land. Significant numbers have also been relocated to zoological gardens and safari parks throughout the world (including
African elephant
As a result of
Whales
South Africa suspended its whaling activities during 1975. However, stringent legislation for the protection of whales within its territorial waters had already been in place before that date and additional legislative measures have been passed since. Owing to
Cycads
The genus Encephalartos is endemic
Authorities have taken appropriated steps to ensure the survival of cycad species.
Special in situ measures were implemented to provide protection to certain populations of the more threatened species. A process is currently
Private and state nurseries have embarked on extensive
The above-mentioned are but a few of the many significant success stories that South Africa is justly proud of.
Measures to combat smuggling
South Africa has a well-developed infrastructure of roads, railways and air traffic and serves as
• Legislation:
Comprehensive legislation for controlling the exploitation of and trade in endangered species has been enacted by all authorities concerned. High penalties *up to R100 000 or approximately US$33 000) and long periods of imprisonment (up to ten years) are applicable. The National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act (Act 10 of 2004) (NEMBA) was promulgated in 2004. NEMBA regulates all
• Law enforcement:
The nature conservation authorities in South Africa have a large contingent of law enforcement officers, special units for threatened species and Environmental Management Inspectors at their disposal. They work in close collaboration with the South African Police Service (SAPS). The SAPS is a very active role-player in the control of illegal imports and exports of wildlife products.
In addition, the South African customs authorities (Department of Finance) and the Department of Agriculture
• Economic utilization
Apart from South Africa 's successful protection efforts to
Why list abalone in CITES?
The species proposed for listing in CITES Appendix III is Haliotis
National measures to curb illegal abalone harvesting had limited success and additional measures are required to protect the resource from over-exploitation. These measures
What is CITES and why Appendix III?
CITES is the abbreviation for the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora and is an international agreement dealing with the regulation of trade in animal and plant species listed on the Appendices of the Convention. South Africa has been a Party to CITES since 1975.
CITES works by subjecting international trade in specimens of selected species to certain controls. All import, export, re-export and introduction from the sea of species covered by CITES has to be authorized through a permit or certificate system.
CITES makes provision for a Party to list a species on Appendix III of CITES if international assistance is required to control illegal trade in the species, which has to be subject to regulation in the specific country. The listing of abalone on Appendix III of CITES would greatly enhance South Africa’s efforts to stop abalone poaching in that importing countries will know that if a consignment of abalone is not accompanied by a CITES export permit, it is illegal and the necessary action, e.g. confiscation, will be taken.
Implications of listing abalone?
Permit requirements
o A CITES export permit must be obtained before the export of a consignment of abalone. This will be in addition to the current permit required in terms of the Marine Living Resources Act.
o A CITES export permit is required for every consignment of abalone leaving the country and the permit must accompany the consignment.
o A CITES export permit will only be issued if the specimens (abalone) have been legally obtained (mariculture & allocated off-take quotas).
o
o CITES permits will be issued by Marine and Coastal Management.
o Proposed permit fees as reflected in the draft regulations relating to threatened or protected species in terms of the
o CITES permits – R200.00
o
o Growing / breeding / propagating – R300.00 per registration
o The import of abalone into a country Party to CITES will be regulated in terms of the requirements of the Convention and the legislation of the importing country. This means that an importing country will not allow the import of abalone without a CITES export permit issued by MCM. If a consignment of abalone without a CITES export permit is detected, the consignment will be confiscated and the associated law enforcement actions will follow.