The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES or the Convention) is an international agreement between states that was established to help ensure that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival.
Canada and the other member states (Parties) adopted 49 amendments to the lists of species protected under the Convention, known as CITES Appendices I and II. In addition, amendments have also been made unilaterally by Parties to CITES Appendix III. These amendments must now be implemented in Canada.
The Regulations Amending the Wild Animal and Plant Trade Regulations reflect the 49 changes to CITES Appendices I and II adopted at CoP17. These changes affect a total of 72 taxa and over 400 species or subspecies.
These amendments include the addition of 15 taxa to Appendix III (new export controls), including two species listed by the U.S. that are also found in Canada: Spiny soft-shell turtle (Apalone spinifera) and Common snapping turtle (Chelydra serpentine). One species was also deleted from Appendix III (removal of all trade controls).
Other minor changes to the Schedule I of the WAPTR have also been made, such as nomenclature updates (e.g. changes to the name of a taxon or transferring species from one taxon to another, usually as the result of adopting new nomenclature references, etc.) and changes to address miscellaneous issues identified by the Standing Joint Committee for the Scrutiny of Regulations (e.g. grammatical or formatting errors, inconsistencies within Schedule I or between Schedule I and the CITES Appendices, etc.).
CITES Appendix I
Appendix I lists animal and plant species that are threatened with extinction and which are or may be affected by international trade. Subject to certain exceptions, CITES prohibits international trade in specimens of these species for commercial purposes. However, they may be imported or exported for non-commercial purposes (e.g. for educational, scientific, or re-introduction purposes) under strict conditions. Permits must be issued by both the country of export as well as the country of import.
CITES Appendix II
Appendix II lists species that are not threatened with extinction, but may become threatened if international trade is not regulated and monitored. Some species may also be listed in Appendix II if they are similar in appearance to CITES Appendix I or other Appendix II species, to ensure the protection of the threatened species. Species listed in Appendix II can be traded commercially or for other purposes as long as the necessary authorizations have been obtained. Generally, only a permit from the country of export (or a certificate from the country of re-export) is required for species listed in Appendix II.
CITES Appendix III
Appendix III lists species which are included at the request of a Party that has already implemented domestic controls to regulate trade in the species and requires the cooperation of other Parties to control international trade. Appendix III can be modified at any time (i.e. outside of a Conference of the Parties) as these amendments can be made unilaterally by any Party. Species listed in Appendix III can, as with Appendix II species, be traded commercially or for other purposes as long as the necessary authorizations have been obtained. Generally only one of the following documents will be required: an export permit from any country that has included the species in Appendix III, a certificate of origin for exports from other countries that are part of the species’ range, or a re-export certificate from the country of re-export.
For details of the species listed in the Amendment view Canada Gazette Vol.151, No.13.