What is CITES?
• The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) is a United Nations agreement between countries
• CITES aims to protect threatened species from the effects of INTERNATIONAL trade in animals, their parts or products
• CITES currently has 175 member countries, or “parties”. They meet every 2-3 years to discuss measures to be taken
• CITES doesn’t MAKE law, but the parties agree to abide by the decisions through implementing them in their own national law
• The next Conference of the Parties (CoP) is due to take place in Doha, Qatar, in March 2010. At this meeting, important decisions will be made that will affect the conservation of a large number of species
Why are CWI involved?
• Decisions made at CITES are important, since they affect the way that international trade in animals and animal parts is regulated, and which species are protected by law
• At CITES in 2010, Care for the Wild will be working on issues concerning elephants, rhinos, Tigers and Polar Bears
• We’re working closely with other organisations, through the Species Survival Network.
What can YOU do to help?
• Please support our efforts to make sure that threatened species get the best possible protection against the effects of international trade
• Donate to Care for the Wild International
• Adopt an elephant, rhino, tiger, or polar bear
• Write to your MP or MEP, asking them to make sure the EU votes for threatened species protection at CITES
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