Convention on Convention on International Trade in International Trade in Endangered Species Endangered Species

(CITES)(CITES)Drafted on March 3, 1973Drafted on March 3, 1973

Amended on June 22, 1979Amended on June 22, 1979

Created By,

Nicole Gerard

Period 6

Description of Function and Description of Function and Environmental Issues AffectedEnvironmental Issues Affected

CITES is an voluntary international treaty CITES is an voluntary international treaty between governments that aims to ensure between governments that aims to ensure that international trade in specimens of wild that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten their animals and plants does not threaten their survival. survival.

Environmental issues affected are the Environmental issues affected are the introduction of invasive species and introduction of invasive species and diseases associated with them, the diseases associated with them, the destruction of habitats of captured species destruction of habitats of captured species and the decline in population of the and the decline in population of the captured and traded species.captured and traded species.

Agency/Group Responsible for Agency/Group Responsible for Regulation and EnforcementRegulation and Enforcement

CITES was drafted as a result of a resolution CITES was drafted as a result of a resolution adopted in 1963 at a meeting of members of IUCN adopted in 1963 at a meeting of members of IUCN (The World Conservation Union). (The World Conservation Union).

CITES is an international agreement to which CITES is an international agreement to which States (countries) adhere voluntarily. States that States (countries) adhere voluntarily. States that have agreed to be bound by the Convention have agreed to be bound by the Convention ('joined' CITES) are known as Parties. Although ('joined' CITES) are known as Parties. Although CITES is legally binding on the Parties – in other CITES is legally binding on the Parties – in other words they have to implement the Convention – it words they have to implement the Convention – it does not take the place of national laws. Rather it does not take the place of national laws. Rather it provides a framework to be respected by each provides a framework to be respected by each Party, which has to adopt its own domestic Party, which has to adopt its own domestic legislation to ensure that CITES is implemented at legislation to ensure that CITES is implemented at the national level. the national level.