Examples of international agreements and conventions,
which are legally binding to signatory countries and relevant for
trade in natural products, include the World Trade Organization
agreements, the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), and the
Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild
Fauna and Flora (CITES). CITES has three lists or Appendices:
Appendix I lists species, subspecies or populations in which trade
is prohibited. Appendix II lists all those in which trade is
regulated by requiring an export permit issued by the competent
government authority in the exporting country. The permit must only
be issued if the specimen was legally obtained and export will not
be detrimental to the survival of the species. Regulated trade is
allowed in these species. Appendix III contains species subject to
regulation in individual countries, thus it covers species which
are subject to trade controls from certain countries only. - More
than 230 medicinal plant species are included in the CITES
appendices. The appendices are available at www.cites.org Another
relevant convention is the International Plant Protection
Convention (IPPC). The IPPC is an international treaty to secure
action to prevent the spread and introduction of pests of plants
and plant products, and to promote appropriate measures for their
control. It is governed by the Interim Commission on Phytosanitary
Measures, which adopts international standards for phytosanitary
measures. In line with the convention, phytosanitary certificates
must be issued when exporting living plants and parts thereof,
including seeds, as well as plant products. Phytosanitary
certificates are issued by the designated competent authorities in
the export country. Information on the IPPC is available at
www.ippc.int |