CITES meeting in Bangkok must pressure countries threatening elephant and rhino survival

All eyes on countries fuelling illegal ivory trade

February 2013. The international body that regulates wildlife trade should begin proceedings to impose sanctions on the countries that are most complicit in the illegal trade of ivory, which causes the deaths of up to 30,000 African elephants each year.

CITES trade restrictions
WWF and TRAFFIC are urging the 177 governments gathering in Bangkok in March under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) to begin a formal procedure that would lead to strict trade restrictions against the worst offenders in the illicit ivory trade.

Thailand, Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of the Congo
Evidence shows that Thailand, Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) have failed repeatedly to address their rampant domestic ivory markets despite CITES rules that outlaw the unregulated sale of ivory. Under treaty rules, CITES member states can recommend that parties stop trading with non-compliant countries in the 35,000 species covered under the convention, from timbers to crocodile skins.

"These countries have been identified in every ivory trade analysis for the past decade as those most implicated in the illicit ivory trade," said Steven Broad, Executive Director of TRAFFIC. "With the demand for ivory driving a widespread poaching crisis, CITES member countries must demand compliance with international law."

Continued: http://www.wildlifeextra.com/go/news/cites-bangkok.html