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Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) Fact sheet released by the Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs, U.S. Department of State, May 17, 2000

One of the earliest international environmental treaties adopted was the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), which seeks to ensure that international trade does not threaten the survival of any species of wild animal or plant. Although habitat loss is now generally considered to be the major reason for the decline in species, the taking of wild specimens for commercial purposes is also a major threat. Rare and protected species and their parts and derivatives (e.g., skins, shells, horns, leather goods, etc.) can become high value commodities. Illegal trade can run into the billions of dollars, second only to narcotics trafficking.

The United States was at the forefront of the global effort to control harmful wildlife trade. In early 1973, the United States convened a conference at the Department of State with 88 participating countries to negotiate a convention to control international trade in threatened species. Known to many as the "Washington Convention," CITES was signed by 21 countries in March 1973 and deposited with the Swiss government. The Convention came into force on July 1, 1975. Today, 151 countries are parties to CITES.

CITES lists species on three appendices: Appendix I includes all species threatened with extinction which are or may be affected by trade, such as all apes and many monkeys, the great whales, Asian elephants, the tiger and many spotted cats, many birds of prey and parrots, all sea turtles and many other reptiles, the rhinoceros, the giant panda, certain plants and other species.

Appendix II includes species which, although not threatened with extinction, may become endangered unless the trade is strictly controlled through a system of permits. Permits are issued only if exporting parties are satisfied that conducting trade does not pose a threat to the species' survival. Appendix III includes species found in a country that that country has placed on Appendix III because the cooperation of other parties is needed to control or monitor the trade.

The OES Bureau actively supports CITES through funding for the core budget of the CITES Secretariat and participation at meetings of the Standing Committee, the Animals Committee and the Plants Committee and the triennial Conference of Parties. The Department of the Interior through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) is the lead technical agency for the U.S. on CITES. OES works closely with the USFWS and other agencies to coordinate our policies on CITES issues before attending and making decisions at major meetings.

For further information on CITES, visit these web sites: Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora and U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.

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