Born Free Foundation - Keep Wildlife in the Wild

Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna

The international trade in wild animals and plants is worth billions of dollars every year, and can have a serious impact on species survival.  The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna (CITES) is a United Nations international agreement between governments, which provides varying levels of protection for species that are or may be in danger of extinction from international trade. More than 30,000 plants and animals are listed on CITES, and lobbying at CITES meetings is an important focus for Born Free.  Indeed, Born Free is one of the founding members of SSN (the Species Survival Network) a network of more than 80 organisations internationally that work together on CITES related issues.

169 member countries meet every three years to debate trade Proposals by its member parties.  CITES places ‘at-risk’ species in two main categories: Appendix II monitors and regulates trade and Appendix I imposes a commercial trade ban.  Born Free, as part of the SSN, helps ensure delegates have the information they need to make the right decisions, and fights to uphold the highest possible levels of protection.  Born Free battles against those - including countless wealthy ‘pro-trade’ NGOs¹ - determined to exploit, hunt, kill and trade wildlife.