The Convention on International Commerce in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) is an international convention aimed at ensuring that international trade in animals and plants does not endanger their survival.
The capture and sale of species can have an impact on the animals and plants that are captured and sold, as well as the ecosystems in which these species flourish, potentially leading to extinction.
Although most aren't, trafficked species such as the tiger and rhinoceros may become endangered as a consequence of poaching if action isn't taken.
CITES now protects 35,000 animal and plant species from being smuggled as live specimens, fur coats, or dried herbs.
Countries that choose to join the convention are legally bound to follow to it.
The Endangered Species (Import and Export) Act of 1976 was the first law to implement CITES.
It has been updated, and European Regulations rely heavily on it.
The Control of Trade in Endangered Species (Enforcement) Regulations (COTES) provide a framework for enforcing European regulations.
Because the trade in wild animals and plants crosses national boundaries, regulating it necessitates international collaboration in order to protect specific species from overexploitation. The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) was created in the spirit of collaboration. It now protects over 35,000 species of animals and plants, whether they are sold as live specimens, fur coats, or dried herbs, to varied degrees.
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