Species covered by UK domestic stricter measures and other special measures
Species covered by UK stricter measures
Species for which there are other special measures
- African Elephant tusks (Loxodonta africana)
- Primates (all species - refer to current Annex listings)
- Seals
- Mother of pearl
- Bird's eggs
Tigers
- Import/Export
The commercial trade in dead tiger parts and derivatives, and live wild taken specimens is banned.
Applications will be considered for worked antiques and captive bred specimens. Applications for live specimens, must contain full details of their destination and intended use.
- Commercial use
The sale of live wild taken specimens is banned. Applications for the sale of live captive bred specimens will be refused except where the specimen is to be used for conservation purposes. Full details of the destination and intended use of the animal must be provided.
Antiques: the sale of tiger parts and derivatives is banned unless it is covered by the antique derogation.
Bear bile, paws & gall bladders
- Import/Export & Commercial use
Commercial trade in bear bile, paws or gall bladders is banned (irrespective of whether or not they come from captive bred specimens), on the grounds that it is difficult to tell illegally acquired wild taken specimens from captive bred specimens and this trade may contribute to the unsustainable exploitation of the species.
Rhino Horn
- Import and Export
Worked antiques are allowed in trade, but applications for un-worked horn (recent or antique) will be refused. Applications for other purposes will be considered on their merits.
All Rhinoceros species are listed on Appendix I. Within Europe all species are listed on Annex A except the South African population of White Rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simium simium) which is listed on Annex B. However only legally acquired live animals and hunting trophies may be imported or exported.
- Commercial use
The commercial use of un-worked rhino horn is banned within the UK, and any applications will be refused. Hunting trophies may not be sold after importation.
Antique worked specimens are covered by antiques derogation and may be used commercially without a certificate.
African Elephant Tusks
- Import and Export
The UK along with other CITES member states still considers the international trade in elephant products, including raw tusks, as a significant threat to the conservation of the species and as such the international commercial trade in raw ivory is banned until a CITES Conference agrees a specific proposal to permit it.
- Commercial use
On the grounds that internal EU trade in raw ivory tusks would be inconsistent with the aim of preventing international trade, all applications for Article 10 Certificates for raw ivory tusks will be refused until a CITES Conference agrees a specific proposal to permit it.
Antique worked specimens are covered by antiques derogation and may be used commercially without a certificate.
Primates
There are no stricter measures for primates under CITES. Applications will be processed in the usual way but a letter will be enclosed with any CITES licences advising applicants that the Balai Directive and Rabies restrictions may apply.
Further information about the Balai Directive can be obtained from the Defra website or from your local Animal Health Office. If the final destination is another EU member state the Balai query should be directed to the Management Authority in that state.
- Import/Export
CITES regulations require importers to ensure that the accommodation and facilities provided are suitably equipped to conserve and care properly for any imported live Annex A specimen(s).
Rabies susceptible animals require specific licence under Rabies (Importation of Dogs, Cats and Other Mammals) Order 1974. Any enquiries should be sent to Rabies Import Division: quarantine@animalhealth.gsi.gov.uk. Also, animals will be required to undergo 6 months post-arrival quarantine.
- Commercial use
Specimens moved within the UK may be subject to the Balai Directive. Applicants are advised to check whether any provisions of the Balai Directive apply before moving it from its current location.
If the specimen is to be moved outside of the UK applicants must apply to their local Animal Health Office for a health certificate.
Applicants are reminded of the obligation under Article 9 of 338/97. This states that:
- live Annex Aspecimens which have a movement restriction indicated in box 6 may only be moved within the Community if an Article 10 is issued (except for urgent medical treatment). This is to ensure that the intended accommodation is adequately equipped to conserve and care for it properly.
- live Annex B specimens may only be moved after the holder ensures that the intended recipient is adequately informed of the accommodation, equipment and practices required to ensure the specimen will be properly cared for.
Antique worked specimens are covered by the antiques derogation and may be used commercially without a certificate.
Seals
- Import/Export
The commercial importation of skins and seal skin products of ‘whitecoat’ pups of harp seals (Phoca (Pagophilus) groenlandicus) and ‘blueback’ pups of hooded seals (Cystophora cristata) is banned. A 'whitecoat' is a harp seal pup up to approximately two and a half weeks old before it sheds its white fur coat. A 'blueback' is a hooded seal pup up to the age of about 16 months old. The only exception is for products resulting from traditional hunting by the Inuit people.
- Commercial use
No extra controls.
Mother of Pearl
Mother of Pearl is the definition used for the white inlay of any shell. The EU interpretation of CITES is that controls only apply to Mother of Pearl known to have come from a CITES listed species.
- Import and Export
Exporters should check with the management authority of the country of import before proceeding, as their interpretation of the law may differ.
Importers should check with the MA in the country of export. If no export permit is issued because the specimen is not identifiable no permit is required from the UK Management Authority. However, please note if the other MA requires a permit, we would only consider an application if it was made for a controlled species (with the species name).
- Commercial use
Certificates are not required for Mother of Pearl unless it is known to come from a CITES listed species (for the same reasons as above).
Birds Eggs – Native British Species
There are no stricter measures for Birds under CITES however we have a policy not issuing a licence for specimens which cannot meet the requirements of the Birds Directive.
- Commercial use
In addition to the CITES controls, the eggs of native European birds are also protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and may not be sold unless a licence has been issued under section 16(4) of, that Act. These licences are issued as appropriate by Natural England, Scottish Natural Heritage, and the Countryside Commission for Wales.
We have agreed with these licensing authorities that licences will only be issued if it is possible to meet the requirements of both CITES and the 1981 Act.
Applications to sell eggs in Scotland or Wales should be referred to the devolved administrations and their issued licence presented with the CITES application.
Applications for CITES certificates to sell eggs from native birds will not be considered unless a licence has been previously issued by Natural England or the devolved administrations. This licence should be presented with the Article 10 application. In addition to the normal statutory requirements, for an Article 10 Certificate to be issued we have a policy that the egg be should be marked, preferably with a microchip transponder encased in resin in the egg or with permanent indelible ink. Where available, applicants should use the Article 10 number of the parent bird as a reference number on the egg.
Applications made for other commercial purposes, for example commercial display, will be considered on their merits. The policy on marking requirements will still apply, but no Wildlife and Countryside Act licence is required.
Where specimens are moved for commercial purposes from another EU Member State you will need an Article 10 Certificate from the other Member State. In addition to this, if you wish to sell the eggs then you should make an application to Natural England or the devolved authorities for a licence, which should be issued before any subsequent Article 10 Certificate allowing sale in the UK is considered.
In all cases, documentary evidence of legal acquisition will be required regardless of the purpose for which you have the eggs.
- Exports
Where eggs of native bird species are to be exported for commercial purposes, no Wildlife and Countryside Act licence is required before a CITES export permit is issued.
- Imports
Applications to import an egg from a CITES listed bird species, which is also a native species, for non-commercial purposes will be considered on their merits.
Applicants wishing to import a specimen where the end use is sale, should first approach Natural England or the deveolved authorities for a Wildlife and Countryside Act licence before applying for a CITES certifiacte. The above marking requirements apply.
Page last modified:07 March 2008
Page published:31 January 2007