This July, we celebrate 50 years of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). Australia is proud to be one of the first parties to CITES, signing the agreement in 1976 after its inception in 1975.
CITES is an agreement between international governments. It ensures that endangered plants and animals are protected from the threats of international trade.
Here in Australia, our Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 helps enforce CITES. It is illegal in Australia to trade protected wildlife without permission.
Some of the protected specimens include:
- species used in the high-end fashion industry, such as crocodile, python and snake leather
- traditional medicines made from wildlife, such as bear bile, tiger bone and ginseng
- marine species, including shark fin
- scientific specimens, including live monkeys and monkey blood samples
- live animal transfers between zoos
- live plants, timber and cut flowers, including sandalwood, orchids and ferns
- tourist souvenirs, such as corals and clam shells
- musical instruments containing protected materials, such as rosewood fretboards in guitars and ivory in pianos or bagpipes.
Today, more than 180 countries are a party to CITES. After nearly 50 years as a party, we remain a committed international partner and a strong environmental leader in protecting the world's wildlife.
