Description: EU and international measures to protect endangered species from illegal trade
biodiversity (502) radicalisation (8)
EU and international measures to protect endangered species from illegal trade
Overview The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora ( CITES ) protects over 38 700 endangered species – about 5 950 species of animals and 32 800 species of plants – against over-exploitation, by regulating international trade. The EU is an important region of destination, transit and origin for many of the species protected under CITES.
This trade is diverse, ranging from live animals and plants to products derived from them. This includes food products, leather goods, timber, dead specimens, parts (such as ivory) or derivatives (such as medicines made from animals or plants). These activities could harm wildlife populations, and CITES is responsible for their regulation.