Policing International Trade in Endangered Species : The CITES Treaty and Compliance

A comprehensive examination of the way in which the Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) is implemented and policed. CITES is one of the oldest international environmental agreements and has been responsible for some striking conservation successes. But, given the way it has evolved, there are also some critical weaknesses that unscrupulous countries and commercial interests can exploit, especially regarding information, institutions and enforcement. The convention needs reform and this book gives a trenchant critique, including practical and effective recommendations for change. This Text Provides A Comprehensive Examination Of The Way In Which The Convention On The International Trade In Endangered Species (cites) Is Implemented And Policed. Part 1. Introduction. Overview Of Compliance Control -- Pt. 2. Cites Compliance System: Primary Rules And Information. Primary Rules. Information System -- Pt. 3. Cites Compliance System: Non-compliance Response. Problem Countries. Problem Issues. Significant Trade Review. High-profile Appendix I Species. Enforcement, Technical Assistance, And Capacity-building -- Pt. 4. Weaknesses, Lessons, And Potential Conflict. Weaknesses In The Cites Compliance System. Learning From Other Compliance Systems. Relationship With The Wto -- Pt. 5. Looking To The Future. Conclusions And Recommendations -- Pt. 6. Annexes. Key Dates Of Cites Meetings. Interpol Ecomessage. Countries And Species Affected By Standing Committee Recommended Import Suspensions Under The Significant Trade Review As Of 9 April 2004. Preliminary Report Form. Rosalind Reeve. Royal Institute Of International Affairs, Sustainable Development Programme. Includes Bibliographical References.

The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) is one of the oldest multilateral environmental agreements. Since it was established to prevent international trade in wild animals and plants from threatening their survival, a complex system has evolved to induce countries to comply with and enforce the treaty's trade controls. This book presents the first definitive study of the CITES compliance system - a self-policing system which relies heavily on recommended trade suspensions to deal with non-compliance. It concludes that trade suspensions are effective, but identifies several weaknesses in the system. A strategy is advanced to address these weaknesses, drawing on lessons from other international compliance systems, and the potential for conflict between CITES trade restrictions and the WTO is analysed.

The convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) is one of the oldest multilateral environmental agreements. Since it was established to prevent international trade in wild animals and plants from threatening their survival, an complex system has evolved to induce countries to comply with and enforce the treaty's trade controls. This book presents the first definitive study of the CITES compliance systema self-policing system which relies heavily on recommended trade suspensions to deal with non-compliance. It concludes that trade suspensions are effective, but identifies several weaknesses in the system. A strategy is advanced to address these weaknesses, drawing on lessons from other international compliance systems, and the potential for conflict between CITES trade restrictions and the WTO is analysed.