Multilateral Environmental Agreements

Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES)

Status
Objectives
Commitments
Action Required
Activities
Evidence of Compliance

Status

Signed July 2, 1974
Ratified April 10, 1975
Entered into force internationally on July 1, 1975
In force in Canada July 9, 1975

Objectives

The Convention seeks to control the trade in species of wild animals and plants that are, or may be, threatened with extinction as a result of international trade. For purposes of the Convention, international "trade" includes the international movement of plant and animal species. The Convention applies to both live and dead specimens, as well as their parts and derivatives. The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) uses an import/export permit system to regulate trade in species which are listed by CITES in one of three Appendices. Appendix I includes species which are now threatened with extinction and which may not be traded for primarily commercial purposes; "trade" for scientific, captive breeding, and other limited uses is permitted under strict conditions. Species in Appendix II are not currently threatened, but may become so if their trade is not controlled. Appendix III contains species which individual countries have listed because they are under special management regimes in that country and require the co-operation of other Parties in the control of trade. (Canada, for example, has listed the walrus in Appendix III.) Changes to the Appendix listings are made at the Conferences of the Parties (CoPs), which are held every two to three years. Currently, CITES lists over 30,000 species of animals and plants. Parties also adopt resolutions at each CoP that provide clarification and guidance on the provisions of the Convention and its implementation.

Commitments

Canada must:

• implement an international system of import/export permits for listed species;
• designate Scientific and Management Authorities;
• take measures to enforce the Convention; and
• forward annual reports to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) Secretariat with details on records of trade and biennial reports on legislative, regulatory, and administrative actions taken to implement the Convention.

Action Required

Environment Canada is the lead. It must:

• provide a Management and Scientific Authority to administer and oversee the system of import/export;
• issue Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) import/export permits -- includes providing guidance to the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO), which issues permits for fish and marine species and provinces/territories (except Alberta, Saskatchewan and Quebec) which issues export permits for provincially-managed species;
• co-ordinate enforcement of the Convention through a network of national and international partners (Royal Canadian Mounted Police [RCMP], Customs, Interpol, etc.);
• submit annual and biennial reports to the CITES Secretariat, and report on Canadian activities as required; and,
• lead Canadian delegations to the Conference of the Parties and subsidiary committee meetings.

Activities

Environment Canada administers and enforces the Wild Animal and Plant Protection and Regulation of International and Interprovincial Trade Act (WAPPRIITA) (1996), and Wild Animal and Plant Trade Regulations (1996), which is the domestic legislation for implementation of the Convention in Canada. The sixth annual report for WAPPRIITA for the year 2001 was tabled by the minister in Parliament on Feburary 3, 2004.

Customs Memorandum D19-7-1, CITES, outlines the procedures Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) has in place to assist Environment Canada with the enforcement of CITES with respect to the importation and exportation of CITES controlled goods.

Environment Canada co-ordinates joint enforcement operations with provinces, other countries, and international wildlife enforcement agencies. Environment Canada represents wildlife enforcement at Interpol and the World Customs Organization (WCO).

Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) have been signed with Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Prince Edward Island, the Northwest Territories, and the Yukon for co-operation on administration and enforcement of WAPPRIITA. Similar MOUs are being negotiated with most of the remaining jurisdictions.

Evidence of Compliance

Reports to Parliament under the Wild Animal and Plant Protection and Regulation of International and Interprovincial Trade Act (WAPPRIITA) and Canada's national reports to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) Secretariat.