The conservation of endangered marine species and of whales, the future of the ban on ivory trade and measures to control illegal trade with tropical wood are key topics of this year's CITES Conference of the Parties, which started today in The Hague. During the conference, which will last until 15 June, about 40 proposals to place species under the Convention’s protection or review whether they still require special protection will be discussed. This is the first time the Conference of the Parties to the Convention will include a ministerial segment. The ministerial segment will focus on the aims and prospects of the Convention over the next years, based on the examples of tropical wood and marine species. Matthias Machnig, State Secretary of the Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety will represent the German Government within the framework of the EU Presidency. Mr Machnig will participate in the conference on 12 and 13 June.
The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) was adopted in 1973 to combat the increasing threat posed to animals and plants by international trade. So far, 171 countries have joined the Convention. "For the Convention to be effective it is essential that the conservation of species is incorporated more efficiently into the different economic commercial sectors" said Jochen Flasbarth, Director-General for Nature Conservation and Sustainable Use of Nature and head of the German delegation in The Hague. "The European parties will campaign for the Convention to be applied to protect species which are used heavily for commercial purposes. This includes fish in particular, but also many species of tropical wood."
On behalf of the EU Member States, Germany submitted three proposals to protect the fish species spiny dogfish, porbeagle and European eel. In addition, the experts will review the status of saw fish, corals and a type of ornamental fish (Banggai cardinalfish). Owing to European commitment the protection of tropical wood has become a key issue again.
With regard to elephants, the COP will have to deal with two contradicting proposals: Botswana and Namibia want an annual quota on ivory and elephant products to be introduced once the one time sale has been completed. Kenya and Mali, on the other hand, propose a complete global ban on trade in raw ivory for 20 years.
Jochen Flasbarth said: "It is irresponsible to start trading ivory on a regular basis as long as we do not know which consequences the one time sale of ivory stocks from South Africa, Namibia and Botswana has, which was granted in late 2002 and is not yet completed. Making decisions on the sale of ivory is not appropriate before verified information is available about the impact of this sale on poaching and illegal trading! Currently we do not know how long it will be until we can assess the situation properly."
Another issue that will be dealt with in The Hague is to ward off attempts to allow whaling again. Japan proposed scientifically reviewing all species of whales and assessing whether the protection of whales pursuant to the Convention is still justified. The EU Member States unanimously opposed this proposal. Mr Flasbarth: "As long as the International Whaling Commission upholds its ban on whaling, there cannot and there must not be trade in whale products."
The delegates at the COP14 also have to decide on about 60 proposals for resolutions and decisions regarding the uniform application and interpretation of the Convention. These concern various topics such as the future financing of the Convention, challenges with regard to trading over the Internet or the tagging of crocodile skins. Laying down future strategic aims and key topics for future work will also be important items on the agenda. Mr Flasbarth said: "This year's conference is decisive for the future course of the Convention. The Parties have already proven that by resolutely applying the Convention they are able to mitigate the loss of biodiversity."
About 8,000 animal and 40,000 plant species are being protected through CITES today. The Convention contains three appendices which list endangered species according to their requirements of protection. There are different limitations on trading for each category. The trade in species listed in Appendix I is generally prohibited while species listed in Appendices II and III may be traded under certain circumstances and with the respective permits.
Further information:
- Press Release as at 14.06.2007: Species Protection Conference decides on 9-Year Moratorium on Ivory Trade