Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species in Wild Flora and Fauna (CITES)

CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora), entered in force on 1 July 1975, is an international agreement between governments. Its aim is to ensure that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival. CITES works by subjecting international trade in specimens of selected species to certain controls. All import, export, re-export and introduction from the sea of species covered by the Convention has to be authorized through a licensing system. Each Party to the Convention must designate one or more Management Authorities in charge of administering that licensing system and one or more Scientific Authorities to advise them on the effects of trade on the status of the species.

The species covered by CITES are listed in three Appendices, according to the degree of protection they need.

For more information visit the CITES website.

Source(s): https://www.cites.org/eng/disc/how.php