Trade convention to save endangered species?

by Sajitha PREMATUNGE

Asian Elephant

Sri Lanka Rose

Hanging Parrot

Giant Squirrel

It would be surprising if a convention on 'trade' could save species from the brink of extinction. But CITES has done this for many endangered species in many countries around the world. Its aim is to prevent trade from threatening the existence of wild flora and fauna, ranging from wild animals to the trade of animal parts. But for a people of a country which boasts of the world's first Customs Biodiversity Unit, it is doubtful that anyone - who is not familiar with wildlife conservation - in Sri Lanka would know what CITES is. On the other hand a citizen of any other CITES signatory nation would know that CITES stand for - Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Life and Flora.

The World Customs Organization has declared the coming year as the CITES year as of January 26, 2009 - the International Customs Day. He aspires to make customs an environment that protects the natural heritage of a nation. CITES consists of a secretariat made of two committees - flora and fauna, Enforcement body and Scientific and Management Authorities. The Enforcement body of CITES in Sri Lanka is Customs through the World Customs Organisation, unlike the police through Interpol in other signatory countries. CITES has 173 CITES member parties to date. "CITES is so familiar to these countries that endangered species are simply referred to as CITES species." said Chief Preventive Officer of Customs, Samantha Gunasekara.

With the announcement of the Director General, Sri Lanka Customs is planning to have a full-fledged awareness campaign from January 15 to 20. "This awareness campaign will be conducted in the harbour, airport, parcel post examination points and container yards." said Samantha Gunasekara. "We were the pioneers of the 'Green Customs Concept' - the focus on the environment, involving the enforcement of Multilateral Environmental Agreements, on imports and exports, through customs." But as he explains, CITES is not very strong in Sri Lanka. Apart from the lack of an independent Scientific Authority, enforcement of law regarding CITES is another major reason. "CITES was ratified in 1973 and Sri Lanka became a signatory in 1979. But regulations regarding the Convention have not been properly formulated as yet."

Plants and animals are being traded in increasing numbers every year and the trade of endangered species cannot be stopped through FFPO (Flora and Fauna Protection Ordinance). While CITES protects species threatened with extinction it also prevents species from being threatened with extinction in the future. Today more than 30,000 species of flora and fauna are protected under CITES. Because trade, most often, takes place between countries, international cooperation is essential for the conservation of such species. In this sense the importance of CITES as a strong legal base could not be further stressed, from which Sri Lanka could reap huge benefits.Samantha Gunasekara explained that the training opportunities brought forth by CITES is immense and it permits the perusal of all export data. He pointed out that some countries do not accept shipments of animals or animal products without the relevant CITES permits. "CITES can control trade of endangered species like no other convention, because it's a trade convention." He emphasised that CITES regulations should be adopted differently by each country, facilitating legal breeding and trade of species, while also controlling the trade of endangered species. Sri Lanka Customs issue export permits to horticulturists for species like Bandura and breeders for fauna such as Sea horse, protected under CITES. But as Samantha Gunasekara explained, because of the lack of regulations even this perfectly legal practice - which other countries make maximum use of - encounters a lot of obstacles. "If CITES was strong here in Sri Lanka most of these problems could have easily been dealt with", said Samantha Gunasekara.