INFORMATION BULLETIN
Date: 4 February 2008
Nobel House, 17 Smith Square, London SW1P 3JR
Out of hours telephone 020 7270 8960
Defra seeks views on new charging scheme for CITES licences
A consultation on a new system for charging for Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) licences was announced today.
Licences are required for trading (including import and export) wildlife such as reptiles, birds of prey, coral and orchids under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
The cost of issuing licences is currently subsidised by government. From the 1st October 2008, CITES licence applicants will be charged the full cost of the service.
The public consultation will seek evidence from wildlife groups, enforcement officials and traders on the effect on:
- businesses that deal in CITES species;
- illegal trade and the rates of non-compliance with the licensing regime; and
- conservation programmes.
The consultation will also ask views on whether the new charging system should be introduced for everyone at the same time, or phased in over three years for those engaged in conservation work.
In addition to the consultation, Defra has commissioned a study into the effects of the charges, and will consider whether there are opportunities to reduce the impacts of increased licence charges.
The following schedule of charges will be introduced on 1 October 2008:
|
Description of permit/certificate |
Charge |
1 |
Import/Export of Annex A and B specimens (including Personal ownership and exhibition certificates) |
£59 |
2 |
Re-exports of Annex A and B specimens (including Certificates of origin) |
£47 |
3 |
Article 10 certificates |
£25 |
4 |
Certificates under Article 9 |
£70 |
5 |
Certificates under Article 60 |
£177 |
The consultation will close on the 6th May 2008, and the full consultation document can be found at www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/cites/charging/
CITES is an important international agreement between governments that aims to ensure that no species of wild fauna or flora becomes or remains subject to unsustainable exploitation because of international trade. Different degrees of protection are given to over 30,000 species of animals and plants, and has provided very effective in conserving species threatened by trade.
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Page published: 4 February 2008