The Monkey Puzzle Tree

What changed ?

All remaining populations of the monkey puzzle tree (Araucaria araucana (Mol.) K. Koch) were transferred from Appendix II to Appendix I of CITES at the 12th Conference of the Parties in November 2002. Previously, only native populations, in Chile and Argentina, were included in Appendix I.

This decision was made to improve protection for the native populations, particularly through increased control of international trade in seeds of wild origin.

Whole plants and all parts and derivatives are now covered worldwide by the provisions of CITES. That is, every type of specimen, for example, seedlings, seeds, small ornamental trees, and timber are in Appendix I, whether from wild origin or artificial propagation.

What permits are required ?

All specimens will require export and import permits. However, certain Parties implement an exemption under Article VII of the Convention, which makes it possible to consider an artificially propagated Appendix I specimen as an Appendix II. The advantage of this exemption is that only an export permit is required from the exporting country.

What is the problem ?

Canada does not yet implement this exemption. Therefore, import and export permits are now required by the Convention in Canada, which may be impractical and incompatible for the Canadian monkey puzzle trade.

What did we do about it ?

The Scientific Authority examined the implications for Canada arising from the uplisting. As a result and within the requirements of the Convention, an optimal permit application system has been developed for Canada that ensures conservation of the wild native populations while accounting also for how the industry works.

What is the Canadian trade like ?

Monkey puzzle seeds from nurseries, public gardens or parks, and private yards are in demand as made evident by internet discussion forums.

Available permit data indicates a low level of export activity only, from 1984 to 2001 (1 to 7 plants per year), with the exception of 1993 to 1995 during which a single company exported just over 1600 plants. This company no longer sells the monkey puzzle tree.

What did we conclude ?

Canadian trade (monkey puzzle tree imported into or exported out of Canada) is primarily export based and mostly, if not entirely, in artificially propagated plants or seeds.

What do Canadians do now?

The following permit system for trade monitoring reflects both the functioning of the industry and the requirements of the Convention.

Export

Commercial Trade - A business that exports specimens many times a year (e.g, nurseries).

• Apply for a Canadian export permit at the Management Authority Office using the Application Form
• Contact the country of import to confirm whether an import permit is required.
• If an import permit is required, apply to the CITES Office in the destination country for a CITES import permit each time a shipment is made.

Personal Trade - An individual that exports specimens only a few times a year (e.g., hobbyist).

• Apply for a Canadian export permit at the Management Authority Office using the Application Form.
• Contact the country of import to confirm whether an import permit is required.
• If an import permit is required, apply to the CITES Office in the destination country for a CITES import permit.

Import

Commercial or Personal Trade

The Canadian importer ensures that their exporter applies for an export permit and a Canadian import permit at the Management Authority Office.

The exporter will receive a Canadian import permit from the Management Authority at the Canadian Wildlife Service based on an acceptable Application Form. That is, it is not necessary for the Management Authority to wait for a copy of the export permit before requesting the Canadian import permit in the case of artificially propagated monkey puzzle trees or seeds.

Some References

Aagesen, D. L. 1998. Indigenous resource rights and conservation of the monkey-puzzle tree (Araucaria araucana, Araucariaceae): a case study from Southern Chile. Economic Botany 52(2):146-160.

De Laubenfels, David J. 1988. Coniferales. P. 337-453 in Flora Malesiana, Series I, Vol. 10. Dordrecht: Kluwer Academic.

Farjoen, A. 2002. In litt. to IUCN/SSC Wildlife Trade Programme, Cambridge, UK.

Floridata.com. 2000. Plant profile: Araucaria araucana.[cited Jan 22, 2003]

Fraser, Dave. Endangered Species Specialist, Wildlife Branch, Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks, Government of British Columbia and CITES Scientific Authority.

Gilman, Edward. Professor, Arboriculture/Landscaping Specialist, Environmental Horticulture Department, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida.

Gilman, E. F., and D. G. Watson. 1993. Araucaria araucana Monkey-Puzzle tree. Fact Sheet ST-81. Environmental Horticultural Department, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida.[updated Jan 8, 2003; cited Jan 22, 2003]

Hartwell, Sharon. Botanist, British Columbia Conservation Data Centre.

IUCN/SSC and TRAFFIC, 2000. IUCN Analyses of Proposals to amend the CITES Appendices. Prepared by IUCN Species Survival Commission and the TRAFFIC network for the Eleventh Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to CITES. IUCN-The World Conservation Union. Gland, Switzerland.

IUCN/SCC (World Conservation Union/Species Survival Commission). 2002. Inclusion of Monkey-puzzle Tree Araucaria araucana in Appendix I, replacing Araucaria araucana** +219 (populations of Argentina and Chile), and deletion of Araucaria araucana* -114#1 in Appendix II. Proponent: Argentina. Ref. CoP 12 Prop. 42 In IUCN Analyses of Proposals to amend the CITES Appendices. Prepared by IUCN Species Survival Commission and the TRAFFIC network for the Twelfth Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to CITES. IUCN-The World Conservation Union. Gland, Switzerland.

Ladio, A. H. 2001. The maintenance of wild edible plant gathering in a Mapuche community of Patagonia. Economic Botany 55(2):243-254.

MGS (Mediterranean Garden Society). 2002. Plants for Mediterranean climates: Araucaria araucana.[cited Jan 23 2003]

Sampson, Noeline. Cedar Lodge Nurseries, New Plymouth, New Zealand.

Walters, G. A., and J. K. Francis. 2002. Woody Plant Seed Manual: Araucaria. USDA Forest Service, Atlanta.[updated April 17 2002, cited Jan 23 2003]

Whitman, Lucile. Whitman Farms, Oregon, USA.