CITES and Plants A User’s Guide Version 3.0

What This Presentation Will Cover Aims and implementation of the Convention Plant groups covered by CITES Enforcement of the Convention

Aims and Implementation

Why Protect Wild Plants? Unsustainable international trade in wild plants may threaten the survival of wild populations

To regulate and monitor the international trade in selected species of plants and animals To ensure that international trade does not endanger the survival of populations in the wild Aims of the Convention

Party 2003 Non-Party 2003 Parties to the Convention

CITES Authorities Management Authority Scientific Authority CITES Secretariat

CoPs and Committees Plants Committee

The Appendices Appendix I >300 species Appendix II >25,000 species Appendix III >30 species

Trade in wild plants prohibited for commercial purposes Trade in artificially propagated plants allowed, subject to permit Appendix I

Trade in wild and artificially propagated plants allowed for commercial & non- commercial purposes, subject to permit Appendix II

Trade in wild and artificially propagated plants allowed for commercial & non- commercial purposes, subject to permit Appendix III

Issued by the Management Authority Scientific Authority must advise that export will not be detrimental to the survival of the species in the wild –The Non-Detriment Statement Export Permits

CITES requires for wild Appendix I plants Some countries, for example member states of the European Union, require import permits for all species treated as Appendix I or Appendix II Import Permits

Certificates of Origin

International convention with over 160 Parties COPs and Committees Appendices = species lists Permit system Summary

Plant Groups Covered by CITES

More Plants than Animals!

Plants, Parts and Derivatives

Orchid Species

Orchid Hybrids

Cacti

Cacti Seeds

Carnivorous Plants

Carnivorous Plants - Dionaea muscipula

Galanthus

Cyclamen

Aloe

Succulent Euphorbia

Cycads

Palms

Tree Ferns

Timber - Appendix I

Timber - Appendix II and III Swietenia Pericopsis Gonystylus Major trade routes

Medicinal Plants

Exemptions

Plant groups controlled Parts, derivatives and products Exemptions to the controls Summary

Enforcement

CUSTOMS

Problems with Shipments No documents Documents do not match plants Misdeclarations

Distinguishing Between Wild and Artificially Propagated Plants Artificially Propagated Wild

Wild Collected Cacti

Wild Collected Orchids

Seized Plants Numbers Identification Resources Condition

Sustainable levels of trade Organisation of CITES Main plant groups Enforcement Summary

Conclusion

Further Information CITES Secretariat, International Environment House, Chemin des Anémones, CH-1219 Châtelaine, Geneva Switzerland Tel: (+4122) /40 Fax: (+4122) URL:

Additional Slides

Parties to the Convention

The Appendices Appendix I >300 Appendix II >25,000 Appendix III >30

Nursery Registration

CITES Definition of ‘Artificially Propagated’

Detecting Detrimental Trade? The Burden on Exporting Countries Article IV of the convention states that an export permit shall only be granted when, inter alia,’ A Scientific Authority of the state of export has advised that such export will not be detrimental to the survival of that species’

Detrimental Trade - How and Why? Insufficient resources to implement Article IV of CITES Poor implementation of export bans on wild plants Smuggling

National CITES Authorities Functions of the Management Authority include: –representing the Party at CITES meetings –preparation of COP proposals –receiving input from the Scientific Authority –production of annual reports –issuing permits and certificates

National CITES Authorities Functions of the Scientific Authority include: –advising the MA that exports are sustainable –advising on export quotas –preparation of COP proposals –reviewing COP proposals –advising MA on the facilities for artificial propagation

CITES Registration of Scientific Institutions Exchange allowed under a simple label system Both institutions must be CITES registered Transaction must be non-commercial Collections must be permanently housed and curated Applies to preserved and live plants Material must be legal

Newsletters

CITES Checklists

CITES Identification Manual

Tillandsia – Air Plants