Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of 1973 (CITES)

By Terrance CaoP.2

4/31/12

Basic Overview

• CITES was drafted in 1973 and amended once in 1979 with an international scope

• This act aims to reduce the mass endangerment or extinction of various animal species around the world in order to prevent a large issue of reduced biodiversity

• Signed by 169 countries, the act states a list of almost 1000 species that cannot be traded as either live specimens or products due to a risk of extinction

• The above statement can also apply concerning species that may become threatened as well

Amendments and Other Details• The Bonn Amendment of 1979 to CITES also made it possible for

member countries to look at how it is currently being implemented and adopt financial provisions

• Enforcement of this act is its downfall (see next point) because from country to country, various powers will enforce this act. In the US, it is the EPA who takes on this job.

• The disadvantages of this act include that in some countries, the penalty for violating this law may vary in that people will pay light fines and often get away with crime or regress into it quickly

• Some countries are also free to exempt themselves concerning a certain species for whatever reason, and that may simply encourage more illegal trade in the end