Page 331 - CAVIAR GUIDE

LEGAL TRADE VS. ILLEGAL TRADE

Annually, over 1 million CITES permits and
certificates are issued by Parties covering
international wildlife trade estimated to be worth
billions of dollars and to include hundreds of
millions of plant and animal specimens. The trade
is diverse, ranging from live animals and plants
to a vast array of wildlife products derived from
them, including food products, exotic leather
goods, wooden musical instruments, timber, tourist
souvenirs, cosmetics and medicines.

Effectively regulating trade in wildlife products
has great benefits for people, such as ensuring
sustainable livelihoods, and protecting ecosystems
and the vital services they provide.

Photo: Daniel Natusch

CITES requires Parties to the Convention not to
trade in listed species other than in accordance
with the Convention, to take appropriate measures
to enforce the Convention, to prohibit and penalize
trade in violation of the Convention and to
confiscate illegally traded specimens.

Illegal trade in wildlife undermines conservation

efforts and has negative economic, social and
environmental impacts. Some CITES-listed species
are high-value items targeted by organized crime
groups. Organized trafficking of wildlife must be
treated as a serious crime and be prioritized in law
enforcement work along other serious crimes such
as human, drugs and arms trafficking.

No country, agency or organization can tackle

illegal trade in wildlife alone. Effective collaboration
and collective efforts across range, transit and
photo: INTERPOL
destination States, and across all involved agencies,
including border controls, customs, police and the
judiciary, are critical.