Ivory trade

Table of Contents☰

About Ivory trade:

The proposal, to allow a regular form of controlled trade in ivory from Namibia, Botswana, South Africa and Zimbabwe, was defeated at the 19th meeting of the CITES (CoP19) in Panama City.
India’s abstention — a break from its past stand — was in tune with what Namibia had asked for when it agreed to transfer cheetahs this summer.

The ivory trade was globally banned in 1989 when all African elephant populations were put in CITES Appendix I.
No trade is allowed in species listed in CITES Appendix I while trade is strictly regulated in those under Appendix II.

It is an international agreement to which States and regional economic integration organizations adhere voluntarily.
It was drafted as a result of a resolution adopted in 1963 at a meeting of members of IUCN (The World Conservation Union). It entered into force in July 1975.
Its aim is to ensure that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten the survival of the species.
Although CITES is legally binding on the Parties – in other words they have to implement the Convention – it does not take the place of national laws.
The CITES Secretariat is administered by UNEP and is located in Geneva, Switzerland. The Conference of the Parties to CITES is the supreme decision-making body of the Convention and comprises all its parties.