1. PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS UPDATE OF PREPARATIONS FOR CITES COP 18 DATE: 23 OCTOBER 2018

2. PURPOSE
To update the PC on progress made relating to preparations for CITES COP18 to be held in Sri Lanka, May 2019.

3. CITES Background
CITES is the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora
Multilateral environmental agreement that regulates international trade in endangered species
Signed on 3 March 1973, and entered into force on 1 July 1975
Currently, there are 183 countries which are parties to CITES around the world
In 2010, South Africa promulgated the CITES Regulations, in terms of section 97(1)(b)(iv) of the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act, 2004 (Act No. 10 of 2004).
Member countries are called Parties
These are countries which support and enforce CITES

4. CITES Background –Cont-
CITES Aim: To ensure international trade is sustainable and not detrimental to the survival of the species in the wild
CITES listed species are categorized in three Appendices (Appendix I, II and III) according to the extent to which they are threatened.
Appendix I – no commercial trade allowed; specific biological criteria must be met for species to be included in Appendix I
Appendix II – Commercial trade regulated; species must be “impacted on” by international trade to be included in Appendix II
Appendix III-International trade is permitted but regulated (less restrictive than Appendix II)
Conference of Parties (CoP) meets every three years to review the implementation of the Convention and consider the listing or de-listing of species, make decisions and resolution on the implementation of the Convention
South Africa hosted the 17th CoP to CITES: 24 September – 5 October 2016 in Johannesburg at the Sandton Convention Centre
Member countries are called Parties
These are countries which support and enforce CITES

5. How CITES Works
CITES regulates the import, export and re-export or introduction from the sea of live or dead specimens of listed fauna and flora, their parts or derivatives through a system of permits and certificates
These permits or certificates may only be issued if certain conditions are met and which must be presented when leaving or entering a country.
For Appendix I and II-listed species, the most important condition is that international trade in these species
must not be detrimental to their survival
in the wild.

6. I II III CITES Appendices
Species (more than 35,000) covered by CITES are listed in three Appendices, according to the degree of protection they need on an international level.
"Species" means any species, subspecies, or geographically separate population thereof I II
III

7. CITES Appendices (continued)
Appendix I
This category consists of species threatened with extinction, which are or may be affected by trade
International (commercial) trade in wild-taken specimens is generally prohibited
Appendix II
This category consists of species not necessarily threatened with extinction, but for which trade must be controlled, and species that resemble species already included in Appendix II
International trade is permitted but regulated
Appendix III
Consists of species for which a country is asking Parties to help with its protection
International trade is permitted but regulated (less restrictive than Appendix II)

8. South African species – CITES listed
Appendix I
Leopard, Black rhinoceros, Pangolin, Cheetah, C, Blue whale and southern Right Whale, Peregrine Falcon and Cycads (Encephalartos species)
Appendix II
Aloe species, Lion, Bontebok, White rhinoceros (export of trophies & live animals), Baboon, Cape Mountain Zebra, and African elephant (specific restrictions).
Appendix III
Colophon beetle

9. IMPORTANCE OF INTERNATIONAL TRADE SADC
2005 – 2014 trade data analysis
International (CITES) trade dominated by live parrots, live reptiles, crododile skins, crocodile meat, live plants (cycads and succulents), plant derivatives and hunting trophies
Total financial value of CITES listed exports from SADC: Estimated to be USD340 million per year (USD3.4 billion over the year period)
Highest value in individual taxa include:
Nile crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus): USD 57 million
African grey parrot (Psittacus erithacus): USD 31 million
Hunting trophies: USD 6.5 million per year
Species most traded as hunting trophies: Hartmann’s mountain zebra, Chacma baboon, Hippopotamus, African elephant and African lion
(NOTE: low estimate & additional financial values associated with trade not taken into consideration)
Member countries are called Parties
These are countries which support and enforce CITES

10. IMPORTANCE OF INTERNATIONAL TRADE IN CITES LISTED SPECIES – SOUTH AFRICA
Main animal exports from South Africa in 2005 – 2014:
Live birds (mainly parrots)
Crocodile skins and meat
Bitter Ghaap (Hoodia gordonii) – seeds
Aloe ferox (Cape aloe) – extract
Value of South Africa’s CITES exports: Estimates at USD 1.1 billion (over 10 years)
Products with highest total estimated value:
African grey parrot ( USD 278 million)
Aloe. ferox (USD million)
Nile crocodile skins (USD million)
Member countries are called Parties
These are countries which support and enforce CITES

11. MAIN DESTINATION COUNTRIES (CITES TRADE)
Member countries are called Parties
These are countries which support and enforce CITES

12. MAIN DESTINATION COUNTRIES (CITES TRADE)
Member countries are called Parties
These are countries which support and enforce CITES

13. Total income (Rand) Total income (US $) 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016
R901 m
R811 m
R1.072 billion
R1.57 billion
1.74
billion
1.78
Total income
(US $)
$124 m
$99 m
$113 million
$137million
121million

15. Member countries are called Parties
These are countries which support and enforce CITES

16. Structure of the CoP Plenary Decision-making sessions Committee I
Proposals and scientific issues
Committee II
Implementation and operation of the Convention
Recommendations of Committee I and II forwarded to Plenary for final approval
Member countries are called Parties
These are countries which support and enforce CITES

17. Decision-making in CITES
The Conference of the Parties is the ultimate decision-making body in CITES, and decisions are usually taken at meetings of the CoP (every 3 years)
Agreement is by consensus or by vote
Member countries are called Parties
These are countries which support and enforce CITES

18. Amending the Appendices
Any Party may propose an amendment to Appendix I or II for consideration at the next meeting (i.e. a proposal)
The text of the proposed amendment shall be communicated to the Secretariat at least 150 days before the meeting
The Secretariat shall consult the other Parties and interested bodies on the amendment… and shall communicate the response to all Parties not later than 30 days before the meeting
Member countries are called Parties
These are countries which support and enforce CITES

19. Amending the Appendices
Amendments shall be adopted by a two-thirds majority of Parties present and voting
In other words, a 2/3 majority of the number of affirmative and negative votes cast (abstain not counted)
Amendments adopted at a meeting shall enter into force 90 days after that meeting for all Parties except those which make a reservation
Member countries are called Parties
These are countries which support and enforce CITES

20. South Africa’s approach to CITES
The national position paper on all agenda items will be developed by the Inter-Departmental Substance Committee, based on the following key principles:
Alignment with Section 24 of the Constitution
Recognition of a country’s sovereign right to sustainable utilise and manage the resources within its jurisdiction
Compliance with the listing criteria adopted by CITES Parties and contained in the relevant Resolutions
Due consideration of the threats to the species / management challenges & whether the CITES listing will address these
Compliance with the consultation requirements in the CITES Resolutions, i.e. range States that will be affected by a proposal should be consulted prior to the submission of a proposal.
Due consideration of the resource and regulatory implications associated with a proposal / working document
Due consideration of other Conventions / agreements that address cross-cutting issues (respect the role of other agreements and processes that may regulate similar matters
Member countries are called Parties
These are countries which support and enforce CITES

21. CITES COP 17 – KEY OUTCOMES (ZA DOCS)
120 Documents discussed (including 62 proposals to amend Appendices
Documents submitted by South Africa :
Five (5) Working Documents – result in Decisions or Resolutions:
Empowering the next generation: CITES and Youth Engagement –Report of the Youth Forum on People and Wildlife
Illegal international trade in wildlife
Trade in hunting trophies of species listed on Appendix II
International trade in Encephalartos spp (Cycads)
Decision-making mechanism for a process of trade in ivory
Member countries are called Parties
These are countries which support and enforce CITES

22. CITES COP 17 – KEY OUTCOMES (ZA DOCS)
Three Proposals:
Transfer of Cape mountain zebra from App I to II
Listing of wild ginger in App II (only populations of Mozambique, Swaziland, South Africa and Zimbabwe)
Transfer of Temminck’s pangolin from App II to I
All ZA proposals adopted by CoP and various CITES Parties acknowledged South Africa’s conservation successes especially applauding the evidence based approaches
Member countries are called Parties
These are countries which support and enforce CITES

23. CITES COP 17 – KEY OUTCOMES (ZA DOCS)
Working documents:
Illegal international trade in wildlife
Provisions in the document included in existing Resolutions on Enforcement & CITES and Livelihoods
Trade in hunting trophies of species listed on Appendix II
Consolidated Resolution negotiated with EU, adopted. Provisions that were of concern removed
Decision on review of Leopard quota adopted – range States to undertake the review
International trade in Encephalartos spp (Cycads)
Adopted with amendment proposed by the CITES Secretariat
Decision-making mechanism (DMM) for a process of trade in ivory
Member countries are called Parties
These are countries which support and enforce CITES

24. KEY OUTCOMES (Important to ZA)
Important documents with implications for South Africa:
Proposed amendments to Resolution Conf (Rev CoP15) on Trade in Elephant specimens, to include closure of domestic ivory markets
Proposed Decision relating to destruction of stockpiles
Proposal to list African elephant populations of Botswana, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe in Appendix I
Proposal by Swaziland – White rhino annotation to be amended to trade in rhino horn
Proposal to list the African lion in Appendix I
Proposal to list African grey parrot in Appendix I
Proposed Resolutions on demand reduction
Member countries are called Parties
These are countries which support and enforce CITES

25. KEY OUTCOMES (Important to ZA)
Proposed amendment to the definition of appropriate and acceptable destinations
(Concerns: Mandate of CoP and scope of the Convention; criteria for listing; implications for range States and trade in legally acquired specimens)
Final outcomes relating to the afore mentioned:
AFRICAN ELEPHANT ISSUES:
Resolution Conf (Rev. CoP15) on Trade in elephant specimens amended to include “closure of domestic ivory markets that contribute to poaching and illegal trade”
Member countries are called Parties
These are countries which support and enforce CITES

26. KEY OUTCOMES (Important to ZA)
Decision adopted relating to guidelines for stockpile management that includes disposal (terminology used in existing Resolutions, which could include destruction but is not prescriptive)
Proposal to list the specific African elephant populations in Appendix I rejected (71 against; 62 in support of listing – EU, Russian Federation, Mexico, Canada, Brazil, China, Japan & USA did not support the up- listing)\
WHITE RHINO PROPOSAL – SWAZILAND
The proposal was rejected (100 Parties against)
TRACEABILITY – Four Decisions adopted. A Working group will work inter-sessionally on traceability matters
Member countries are called Parties
These are countries which support and enforce CITES

27. KEY OUTCOMES (Important to ZA)
AFRICAN LION
The proposal amended by proponents based on negotiations
A Decision was adopted that includes conservation actions; studies on legal and illegal trade in lions, including bone trade; and comparative study of lion population trends and conservation and management practices such as hunting
African lion remains in Appendix II, but with following annotation:
A zero annual export quota is established for specimens of bones, bone pieces, bone products, claws, skeletons, skulls and teeth removed from the wild and traded for commercial purposes.
Annual export quotas for trade in bones, bone pieces, bone products, claws, skeletons, skulls and teeth for commercial purposes, derived from captive breeding operations in South Africa will be established and communicated annually to the CITES Secretariat.
Member countries are called Parties
These are countries which support and enforce CITES

28. KEY OUTCOMES (Important to ZA)
AFRICAN GREY PARROT
The proposal to list the species in App I was adopted after a vote
A Decision was adopted that includes conservation actions and provisions that will facilitate the registration of captive breeding facilities up to CoP18
ZA: Supply more than 80% of African grey parrots in international trade from breeding facilities ( specimens exported per annum)
DEMAND REDUCTION
Resolutions adopted referred to reducing demand for illegally sourced wildlife products
APPROPRIATE AND ACCEPTABLE DESTINATIONS
Encourage that, any permit authorizing trade of live rhinoceroses or elephants under an ‘appropriate and acceptable destinations’ annotation contain a condition stating that the rhinoceros horn or elephant ivory from those animals and from their progeny may not enter commercial trade and may not  be sport hunted outside of their historic range.
Member countries are called Parties
These are countries which support and enforce CITES

29. CITES COP18 Preparations
Public consultation
DEA requested public to provide proposals, resolutions and decisions, which they would like South Africa to take to Cop 18
The Scientific Authority reviewed the proposals and made recommendations to DEA
Below is the presentation they gave as a report back to the public
DEA is still awaiting official feed back from the Scientific authority
DEA will asses the recommendations and make recommendations to Minister for approval and submission to Cabinet for the final position of the country
Member countries are called Parties
These are countries which support and enforce CITES

30. FEEDBACK ON SUBMITTED PROPOSALS
List species on Appendix I
List species on Appendix II
Uplist species from Appendix III to Appendix II or from Appendix II to Appendix I
Downlist species from Appendix I to Appendix II
Downlist species from Appendix II to Appendix III (i.e. effectively to delist)
Change the annotation for a listed species without changing the Appendix

31. Management Authorities
CITES Review Process
Scientific
Management
Political
Does species / population satisfy the biological criteria for listing?
Other technical
consider-ations
Scientific Authority
Does the species/ population meet the trade criteria for listing?
other management consider-ations
Have domestic measures been implemented
Management Authorities

32. LISTING SPECIES ON CITES
CITES Resolution Conf (Rev. CoP17)
to qualify for inclusion in Appendix I, a species must meet biological and trade criteria;
species may be listed in Appendix II to avoid utilization incompatible with their survival and in order that trade may be brought under effective control;

33. CONDITIONS FOR AMENDING CITES LISTING
To remove a species listed on Appendix I from the Appendices, it must first be transferred to Appendix II for a period of at least two intervals between meetings of the Conference of the Parties (~6 years)
No species should be deleted from Appendix II if such deletion is likely to result in it qualifying for inclusion in the Appendices in the near future.
Species included in Appendix I should only be transferred to Appendix II:
the species does not satisfy the relevant criteria for Appendix I
the species is not in demand for international trade, nor is its transfer to Appendix II likely to stimulate trade; or
the species is in demand for trade, but there are effective management and enforcement controls; or
the amendment proposal is in the form of an export quota, or other special measure, with detailed management measures and effective enforcement controls in place; or
a ranching proposal is submitted in accordance with an applicable Resolution and is adopted by the Conference of the Parties.

34. BIOLOGICAL CRITERIA FOR LISTING
Biological criteria for Appendix I
Must be threatened with extinction and should meet at least one of the following criteria:
The wild population is small, and is characterized by at least one of 5 criteria relating to decline, subpopulation status, geographical concentration, fluctuating population size, or vulnerability to intrinsic or extrinsic factors.
The wild population has a restricted area of distribution and meets other criteria for observed or inferred threats
There has been a marked decline in population size in the wild, which has been either observed or inferred (down to ~5 - 30% of baseline)

35. Inclusion in CITES Appendix II
A species should be included in Appendix II when, on the basis of available trade data and information on the status and trends of the wild population(s), at least one of the following criteria is met:
A. It is known, or can be inferred or projected, that the regulation of trade in the species is necessary to avoid it becoming eligible for inclusion in Appendix I in the near future; or
B. It is known, or can be inferred or projected, that regulation of trade in the species is required to ensure that the harvest of specimens from the wild is not reducing the wild population to a level at which its survival might be threatened by continued harvesting or other influences.

36. Additional Factors
Precautionary approach: the Parties shall, by virtue of the precautionary approach and in case of uncertainty either as regards the status of a species or the impact of trade on the conservation of a species, act in the best interest of the conservation of the species concerned and adopt measures that are proportionate to the anticipated risks to the species.
Periodic Review: CITES committees are mandated to undertake periodic reviews to evaluate whether species are correctly listed on Appendix I or II and this may result in recommendations to amend Appendices I or II.

37. An Evidence Based Approach
Does species / population satisfy the biological criteria for listing?
Evidence of population status, including evidence of decline, population size, threats, vulnerability
Evidence of trade, where possible including levels of trade, impacts of harvesting and/or trade on the survival of the species in the wild
Does the species/ population meet the trade criteria for listing?
Are there other technical considerations related to listing on CITES
Information that may affect the listing, e.g. commodities in trade, look alike issues

38. Recommendation on Proposals
COMMENTS
RECOMMENDATION
1.Recommend an additional source code for managed wildlife in private ownership
At this stage a new source code won’t infer any benefit (as distinct from “C” or “F”).
wait for plant process to conclude, then explore idea with Animals Committee
2.Proposal to include all TOPS listed species in Appendix III
TOPS listing includes species that are threatened by domestic trade, persecution and other threats that have nothing to do with international trade.
not supported, focus on species threatened by international trade
3.Proposal to include all Appendix III in Appendix II
Only Colophon beetles currently in Appendix III
No CITES trade records to indicate these are traded legally from the wild
Proposal not supported
4.Transfer South Africa’s white rhinoceros population to Appendix I.
Current population trend is stable
The White rhino population in South Africa does not meet the biological criteria for listing on Appendix I, it does meet the criteria for Appendix II
5.Straight Appendix II listing for South Africa’s white rhinoceros population
Rhino listing and its implications have been the subject of other processes, such as the Committee of Inquiry and the Rhino Lab, which have considered a wider range of issues
Consider the biological criteria in the context of other issues dealt with by COI and Rhino Lab
6.A limited trade that allows the export of rhinoceros horn sourced from a specified and exclusive list of properties
Rhino horn trade has been the subject of other processes, such as the Committee of Inquiry and the Rhino Lab, which have considered a wider range of issues
DEA to take the NDF and biological criteria when evaluating the proposal in terms of other processes (COI and Rhino lab)
7.Transfer South Africa’s elephant population to Appendix I.
There are currently no major threats facing wild elephant populations in South Africa.
Listed regionally as Least Concern
Does not meet criteria, maintain on Appendix II
8.Transfer Panther leo to Appendix I
Recent quantitative data suggest that lion populations are stable to increasing
Does not meet the criteria for listing on Appendix I, Not supported
9.Increase South Africa’s trophy hunting quota for black rhino from 5 to 20 per annum
Recent NDF for black rhinoceros concluded that legal hunting of black rhinoceros can be beneficial to the conservation and protection of the species in South Africa
Set quota at 0.5% of population (~9)

39. NEXT COP 18 Host city – Sri Lanka
Venue: The Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH) in Colombo,
Date – 18th CoP to CITES:
23 May - 03 June 2019
Member countries are called Parties
These are countries which support and enforce CITES

40. DEA PLANS
Public engagements on proposed proposal by South Africa of CoP 18 Done
Scientific Authority recommendation to on potential proposal to CoP 18 DEA (18th September 2018)
SADC Regional consultation (Planned for November – Dec 2018)
Parties submission of CITES COP18 to CITES Secretariat ( 24 Dec 2018)
Draft proposal consultation with range states (Dec – Jan 2019)
Public engagement on COP 19 agenda (March – April 2019)
Delegation meeting (Feb 2019)
Submission of South African Position to Cabinet ( Feb- March 2019)
Attendance of CITES CoP18 in Sri Lanka (May 2019
Public engagement of CoP 18 outcomes (July 2019)
Member countries are called Parties
These are countries which support and enforce CITES

41. DEA PLANS (Cont…) Member countries are called Parties#
Action Item Description
Responsible
Processing/ Starting date
Due date
Status
Comments 1
Request to submit proposals by public in the news paper
DEA
Mar-18
13-Apr-18
Done, and proposals submitted to Scientific Authority for consideration 2
Scientific Authority assessment of the proposals for CoP 18 and physical presentation of the proposals by public
Chair of Scientific Authority/ DEA and Public
June 2018
Scientific Authority assessed the proposals and presented the feedback to stakeholders July 2018 on proposal submitted with the exception of Rhino horn trade proposal
The Scientific Authority to submit the recommendition to DEA 3
Chair of Scientific Authority
8 Aug 2018
Feedback provided for the submitted proposals with the exclusion of Rhino horn trade proposal
In terms of Rhino horn trade proposal, DEA to provide decision taking into account the Community of Enquiry outcomes 4
Scientific Authority to recommend to DEA the proposals to be submitted by South Africa for CITES COP18
18-Sep-18
In a process to submitt 5
Establish a CITES CoP 18 Task team to review the Scientific Authority recommendations including the rhino horn trade proposal
24/09/2018
31/07/2019
Initiated (Draft letter for nominations)
The task team will comprise of: DEA, DIRCO,SANBI, SANPARKS, Provinces, RMG, IUCN specialist group. External advice will invited where necessary 6
Assessment of Committee of enquiry outcome and progress including Rhino lab initiatives for Rhino horn trade proposal
Mid October 2018
The wildlife forum will be engaged as affected parties by proposals made by South Africa
Member countries are called Parties
These are countries which support and enforce CITES

42. DEA PLANS (Cont…) Member countries are called Parties#
Action Item Description
Responsible
Processing/ Starting date
Due date
Status
Comments 7
Consultation with Governmental Structures on the proposed proposal and obtain approval
DEA
18 October WG1
Preparations of submission and securing the slot with WG1 Secretariat
WG1 to MINMEC 8
SADC preparatory meeting on the proposed proposals
Nov-Dec 2018
SADC meeting will be held prior to CoP 18, to discuss the SADC common position on proposals 9
Submission of the South Africa's proposals on CITES COP18
Mid December 2018 10
Posting/ release of the submitted CITES Parties proposals and documents on CITES website
CITES Secretariat
Jan- Feb 2019 11
Submitting to Cabinet , South Africa's position on the submitted CITES's Parties proposals on CITES COP18
Feb-Mar 2019
Pending the Cabinet Cluster Programme 12
Lobbying other strategic importance countries to ascertain common position
DEA DIRCO
Jan- Feb, Mrch April 2019
Pending the availability of the lobbying strategy
South Africa to meet with potential trading partners: China, Vietnam, Laos Thailand, Japan EU and USA. This meeting are aimed to ascertain common positions 13
Organise South africa's delegation meeting and Chairing of the meeting
March - April 2019
DEA to assess the committee of 14
Attending CITES COP18 in Sri Lanka
South African Delegates
23 May - 03 June 2019
Member countries are called Parties
These are countries which support and enforce CITES

43. Way forward
Portfolio Committee to note preparations for CoP 18 are underway
Final approval of South Africa’s Position to be approved by Cabinet
DEA to hold further public consultation when CoP 18 Proposal are published
Final recommendation on international trade in rhino proposal dependent on progress made from Committee of enquiry and Rhino Lab- Expert Advisory Team
Member countries are called Parties
These are countries which support and enforce CITES