Python Skins – Improving Conservation and Livelihood Impacts of Fashion Supply Chains

Ladies and Gentlemen

Thank you for your participation in this ITC, Kering, IUCN event focused on sustainable fashion value chains for python skins.

The world’s biological resources are under threat from climate change, urbanization, poaching, over-exploitation, invasive species and the increasing demand from mankind for food and fibre.

Biodiversity provides vital resources for mankind and, in particular, for rural communities that depend on them for shelter, food and cash income. The UNEP report “Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity” describes nature as the ‘GDP of the poor’ given the strong contribution of forests and other ecosystems to the livelihoods of poor rural households.

In response to rising consumer incomes and a growing population, the demand for natural resources is steadily increasing.

The CITES convention is a multilateral agreement that enables range states and consuming countries to agree international action to regulate this trade to ensure more sustainable outcomes. ITC is an organization promoting sustainable development through trade and so it is natural that we should join forces to share our knowledge, expertise and resources to promote more sustainable trade. In 2013, ITC and CITES signed a Letter of Agreement to this end.

The formation of the Python Conservation Partnership (PCP) was one of the first initiatives that ITC began under this Letter of Agreement.

The PCP was formed largely in response to concern over the lack of sustainability in the python skin trade. In Nov 2013, ITC, Kering and IUCN agreed to work together producing research and capacity building in CITES range states.

This is a unique and innovative partnership between the world’s leading fashion brands, conservation scientists and a UN trade organization. The range states of Vietnam and Malaysia and more recently Indonesia have become part of the partnership, as well as the Italian Tanners Industry Association. Public private partnerships when properly conceived and well managed can leverage substantial new resources, expertise and networks. ITC is excited to work closely with them to support CITES and deliver results on the ground for the people and their biodiversity.

ITC’s specific contribution to the PCP has been to carry out economic analysis of the livelihood benefits of the trade. Giving people an incentive to conserve species is integral to the successful conservation of any flora and fauna species. Once local people lose that economic stake, species are vulnerable to poaching. The ITC-IUCN reports on the impact of python skin trade in Vietnam and Malaysia that we will be discussing today, as well as the capacity building needs of local communities are an important contribution to this discussion.

On the other hand, when goods are strongly in demand and prices high, such as with python skin- an iconic fashion raw material- the trade must be well managed to avoid overharvesting and illegal trade.

Communities and authorities have a central role to play in ensuring that harvests are sustainable and traceable. Traceability is an area of great importance which has been accessible through technology. We in ITC are currently implementing an innovative traceability scheme with Global Standard 1 in the agriculture sector – the Blue Number. This may be of interest to the python skin community and beyond. Good animal welfare standards must also be applied. Over the last two years, the PCP with its unique combination of industry and scientific expertise has researched the options for sustainable management and animal welfare in depth and I am confident that the findings will inform CITES Parties and stakeholders on the ground resulting in the longer term tangible benefits for communities in range states.

I hope to have given you an incentive to keep tuned to this discussion!
 
Thank you for your attention