(Note: I find it troubling, to say the least, that our Congressional House of Representatives so glibly goes along with a treaty orchestrated by a foreign government -- the United Nations. Judge Craig Manson 'advocates' such groups as the Nature Conservancy, saying, "The participation of NGOs as observers at CITES meetings is advocated by the United States to ensure transparency of CITES processes. They represent a spectrum of viewpoints and expertise that helps to inform delegates and enrich meetings." Were the agenda of such NGOs not to control the world's resources, the statement would not ring as such a huge 'red flag.')

February 25, 2003

Doug Heye

202-225-1947

Tracey Shifflett

202-226-9019

Resources.Committee@mail.house.gov  (Mail_Resources_Republicans)

Washington, D.C. - In an oversight hearing today, the House Resources Subcommittee on Fisheries Conservation, Wildlife and Oceans heard testimony on the progress of the Twelfth Regular Meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP12) of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).

Witnesses Judge Craig Manson, Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks, and Dr. Rebecca Lent, Deputy Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, reported on the achievements and ongoing progress of a treaty that serves to protect tens of thousands of species and currently has 160 member nations.

CITES is the only international treaty to focus on the conservation of wild or captive born or bred animal and plant species through the regulation of international trade.

Protected species are listed on one of three CITES Appendices:

Appendix I: Species threatened with extinction due to international trade.

Appendix II: Species not currently threatened with extinction, but may become so if trade is not regulated to avoid uses incompatible with their survival.

Appendix III: Species domestically regulated to prevent or restrict exploitation.

The treaty, first entered into force in 1975, calls for biennial meetings of the Conference of the Parties (COP) to review its implementation, make provisions enabling the CITES Secretariat to carry out its functions, consider amending the lists of species in the Appendices, consider reports presented by the Secretariat, and make recommendations for the improved effectiveness of the Convention.

In today's hearing, the Subcommittee focused on the firm stance on the monitoring of ivory trade CITES has taken, as well as addressing the proposals at COP12 to include species such as minke whales, seahorses, sea cucumbers and plants such as mahogany.

In reporting the achievements of COP12, Judge Craig Manson testified that "CITES continues to serve as an effective and dynamic tool for protecting species of animals and plants affected by trade, and the number of countries that are parties to the treaty continues to grow."

Manson also stated the continued importance of non-governmental organizations at CITES meetings, saying: "The participation of NGOs as observers at CITES meetings is advocated by the United States to ensure transparency of CITES processes. They represent a spectrum of viewpoints and expertise that helps to inform delegates and enrich meetings."

Statement from Chairman Richard Pombo: "I have witnessed first hand how the various delegations struggle to ensure equitable solutions on a whole range of controversial issues. While the process is far from perfect, every nation works hard to develop the best management solution for its species, while coordinating with other effected range states and developing the appropriate protections for literally hundreds of CITES species.

While CITES can be used as a tool to recover species, it should not be used as a restrictive mechanism to limit or stop trade based on emotional arguments. If nations use science to develop management decisions and when needed use CITES as an additional conservation measure, then CITES is being used as it was designed."

The Thirteenth Regular Meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP13) of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) is scheduled to take place in Thailand in late 2004, early 2005.