Presidency of the Council of the European Union

11/16/2022 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 11/16/2022 02:40

Let's save elephants and 600 other endangered species. International Conference on CITES has begun

The 19th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) has begun in Panama. The conference, with 160 countries represented, will decide whether to introduce or change trade regulations on up to 600 species of animals and plants. The Czech EU Presidency has the chance to push through major proposals to protect the planet's fauna and flora.

"Illegal trade in endangered species is one of the most globally significant areas of crime, along with the illegal trade in drugs, weapons and people, and poses a significant risk to the survival of some rare species in the wild," recalls Ladislav Miko, Advisor to the Minister of the Environment and Government Commissioner for Biodiversity Negotiations.

For the 19th time, more than 2,500 delegates from 160 countries are meeting to negotiate on the regulation of international trade in wildlife. The Convention protects nearly 39,000 species in varying degrees. The conference will decide whether to introduce or tighten trade regulation, but proposals to reduce protection for selected species are also on the table if their protection has led to the recovery of their populations.

One of the most important tasks of the Czech delegation, which represents the European Union here, is to maintain a high level of protection for elephants. The EU's aim is to prevent the legalisation of the ivory trade, which would lead to a resurgence of poaching. Similarly, the Czech Republic will oppose the relaxation of regulation of the trade in rhino horn, both the possibility of selling it and the loosening of rules for trophy hunting in Namibia.

Another priority for the EU is to strengthen the protection of species with markets in the European Union. These include proposals to list dozens of amphibian and reptile species on the CITES Appendices, such as the Laos warty newt, the lemur leaf frog and the Chinese water dragon, among others, which are familiar to Czech breeders. The EU proposes to include these species in CITES Appendix II, which means that international trade in these species can continue, but under strict conditions. As a result, populations of these species will not be threatened.

Certain species of sharks, sea cucumbers and tropical trees whose wood is used to make furniture or skewers, also sold in EU countries, should also receive greater protection.

The Panama conference may also contribute positively to the development of the new Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework, which will be discussed at the Conference on Biodiversity (COP15) in Montreal. In Panama, the Czech EU presidency will already be working to negotiate a framework that is as beneficial as possible for the world's biodiversity.