A comprehensive examination of the way in which the Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) is implemented and policed. CITES is one of the oldest international environmental agreements and has been responsible for some striking conservation successes. But, given the way it has evolved, there are also some critical weaknesses that unscrupulous countries and commercial interests can exploit, especially regarding information, institutions and enforcement. The convention needs reform and this book gives a trenchant critique, including practical and effective recommendations for change.

Rosalind Reeve is an environmental lawyer specializing in wildlife trade issues, and an Associate Fellow of the Sustainable Development Programme at the Royal Institution of International Affairs (RIIA).

Part I: Setting the Scene - Introduction * Overview of Compliance Control * Part II: CITES Compliance System: Primary Rules and Information - Primary Rules * Information System * Part III: CITES Compliance System: Non-compliance Response - Problem Countries * Problem Issues * Significant Trade Review * High-profile Appendix I Species * Enforcement, Technical Assistance and Capacity-building * Part IV: Weaknesses, Lessons and Potential Conflict - 10 Weaknesses in the CITES Compliance System * Learning from other Compliance Systems * Relationship with the WTO * Part V: Looking to the Future - Conclusions and Recommendations * Part VI: Annexes - Key Dates of CITES Meetings * Interpol ECOMESSAGE * Countries and Species Affected by Standing Committee Recommended Import Suspensions Under the Significant Trade Review as of 9 April 2002