International Wildlife Trade Policy: CITES and Beyond

CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species) regulates the international wildlife trade, but its effectiveness in protecting animal welfare is constrained by enforcement gaps and coverage limitations.

Key Facts

CITES covers approximately 38,000 species across Appendices I, II and III
Appendix I bans commercial international trade; Appendix II requires permits and sustainability assessments
Domestic wildlife trade — within national borders — is not covered by CITES and is often unregulated
An estimated $23 billion in illegal wildlife trade occurs annually despite CITES protection
The illegal trade in birds, reptiles, freshwater turtles and primates causes massive welfare harm before animals reach consumers

Welfare Considerations

CITES provides essential conservation protection for many thousands of species, but its welfare effectiveness is limited by what it does not cover: domestic trade within nations, invertebrates and plants, and the welfare of legally traded animals during transport. Animals traded legally under CITES permits can experience severe welfare harm during collection, transport and holding. The 2019 Colombo Declaration incorporated welfare explicitly into CITES conference discussions for the first time — a recognition that conservation and welfare are complementary rather than separate concerns. Domestic wildlife trade legislation — covering animals traded within national borders — is where the most significant welfare gaps remain.

What You Can Do

Support CITES strengthening including domestic wildlife trade regulation in high-trade jurisdictions
Donate to TRAFFIC and Wildlife Justice Commission monitoring and enforcement work
Advocate for your government to ratify and enforce CITES obligations fully
Never purchase wildlife products without verifying CITES documentation — do not rely on seller assurances
Support inclusion of animal welfare explicitly in future CITES conference decisions and national implementation guidance