The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) is an international agreement between governments. Its aim is to ensure that international trade in specimens of wild animals
and plants does not threaten their survival.
Because the trade in wild animals and plants crosses borders between countries, the effort to regulate it requires international cooperation to safeguard certain species from over-exploitation. CITES was conceived in
the spirit of such cooperation. Today, it accords varying degrees of protection to more than 30,000 species of animals and plants, whether they are traded as live specimens, fur coats or dried herbs.
CITES is an international agreement to which States (countries) adhere voluntarily. States that have agreed to be bound by the Convention (‘joined’ CITES) are known as Parties.
CITES works by subjecting international trade in specimens of selected species to certain controls. All import, export, re-export and introduction from the sea of species covered by the Convention has to be authorized
through a licensing system.
The governments involve regulate permits for the import and export of plant and animal species. In Anguilla, the necessary licences can be obtained through the Department of Environment in Anguilla. H M Customs officers
in both importing and exporting countries enforce CITES regulations, with support from the national CITES Management Authority.
The species covered by CITES are listed in three Appendices, according to the degree of protection they need. (For additional information on the number and type of species covered by the Convention refer to the secretariats website
www.cites.org
List 1 (Appendix I) consists of endangered species to which a complete trade ban applies. All sea turtles and some birds, orchids, cactus, parts of plants and animals etc
are listed on Appendix 1.
List 2 (Appendix II) consist of threatened species or species of special concern to which restriction on import, export or transit apply.
List 3 (Appendix III) contains species that are protected in at least one country, which has asked other CITES Parties for assistance in controlling the trade. Changes to
Appendix III follow a distinct procedure from changes to Appendices I and II, as each Party’s is entitled to make unilateral amendments to it.
The CITES rules apply to anyone involve with trade of plants or animals on the list. This list includes but is not limited to tourists, islanders, national and international traders. A very important detail is that
the list not only apply to live animals and plants, but also to deal one and parts there of.
Many visitors or people relocating to another country like to take souvenirs home with them. However, you should know that all corals as well as conch meat and shells require CITES permit. If you are unsure whether
you have a CITES listed plant or animal or part there of in your possession, please contact the Department of Environment at Tel: +1 (264) 497-0217 or email: norma.gumbs@goiv.ai
The Department of Natural resources (DNaR) is a product of the merging of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Environment
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