The 17th conference of the parties (COP 17) to the international convention on trade in endangered species (CITES) opened in Johannesburg, South Africa, on Tuesday 4 October and met the European Union’s expectations (see EUROPE 11629).
One of the main causes of EU delight is the continuation of the current international ban on ivory sales despite attempts by Zimbabwe and Namibia to be granted the right to sell their ivory stocks. The EU successfully opposed the idea of allowing ivory sales. All parties agreed that domestic ivory sales should be banned if they provide ivory to be traded illegally (internationally) and stricter measures need to be taken to manage ivory stocks.
Other areas of progress in European eyes include continuing the ban on rhino horn sales, stricter protection for a large umber of species of rosewood and a ban on international sales of pangolin, the world’s most trafficked mammal, which now has the highest protection under CITES Appendix I as well as stronger enforcement measures. Support for stricter criteria taking into account sustainability and benefits for local populations when authorising the export of hunting trophies was also to be welcomed in the EU’s view.
In a press release, Environment Commissioner Karmenu Vella said: "I am delighted to see a successful CITES COP 17 wrapping up. This was the first time the EU, as a full member, could vote as a bloc. The results speak for themselves. Stricter protection has been granted to a number of endangered iconic species, and now we have to move on with resolute implementation on the ground."
NGOs take a more critical approach. COP 17 failed to have all African elephants added to CITES Appendix I – a proposal that the EU did not support, to the dismay of most of the African nations involved and a number of NGOs, such as the Born Free Foundation. The president of Born Free, Wim Travers, said this was a scandal because even China, Hong Kong and the United States recognise that only a total ban on ivory sales can guarantee the future of elephants. (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)