CITES Appendix explained
CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) 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.
The species covered by CITES are listed in three Appendices, according to the degree of protection they need.
The appendices
| Status | Description |
|---|---|
| Appendix i | Species threatened with extinction. Trade in specimens of these species is permitted only in exceptional circumstances |
| Appendix ii | Species not necessarily threatened with extinction, but in which trade must be controlled in order to avoid utilization incompatible with their survival. |
| Appendix iii | Species that are protected in at least one country, which has asked other CITES Parties for assistance in controlling the trade. |
| Not listed | Species with no trade restrictions |
Information adapted from CITES, more information is given on the CITES website.