CITES Reform proposals

Annex: In this context, typically referring to the Annexes to Regulation 338/97 which list CITES species covered by the controls in the UK Wildlife Trade Regulations. These Annexes broadly align with the CITES Appendices, i.e. Annex A approximates Appendix I, Annex B approximates Appendix II and Annex C approximates Appendix III. Annex D does not have a CITES Appendix counterpart.

APHA: The Animal and Plant Health Agency, the UK CITES Management Authority responsible for CITES licencing.

App: Appendix. The species covered by CITES are listed in three Appendices (App I, App II and App III), according to the degree of protection they need.  

Assimilated law: The body of law, originating in the UK’s membership of the EU, which was assimilated into domestic UK law on 1 January 2021- see s.6(7) EU Withdrawal Act 2018. This includes the UK Wildlife Trade Regulations.

UK BF: UK Border Force, the UK’s CITES Enforcement Authority at the border.  

CITES: Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (sometimes referred to as the Washington Convention) .

COP or CoP: Conference of the Parties, CITES’ main decision-making body.  

COTES or COTES Regulations: The Control of Trade in Endangered Species Regulations 2018, legislation that supports the implementation of the Wildlife Trade Regulations in the UK especially providing a framework for enforcement of these regulations.

EU: European Union

EU WTRs: EU Wildlife Trade Regulations, directly-applicable law that implements CITES in EU Member States and Northern Ireland under the UK-EU Withdrawal Agreement.  

FCR: Full cost recovery, meaning the income generated by a service in fees and charges covers the cost of providing that service in line with principles set out in Managing Public Money.

IWT: Illegal wildlife trade.  

JNCC: The Joint Nature Conservation Committee which is the Fauna Scientific Authority for UK CITES.

LAF: Legal acquisition finding. An examination conducted by a Management Authority prior to issuing a CITES export permit to satisfy itself that the specimen was legally acquired.  

MA: Management Authority, the body responsible for domestic CITES implementation in its country. Defra CITES policy team and APHA’s Centre for International Trade, Bristol jointly act as the UK MA.  

MIC: Musical Instrument Certificate. Streamlines the requirement for obtaining multiple CITES export permits when an instrument contains CITES material and is not exempted from permit requirements.  

NDF: Non-detriment finding. An assessment by a Scientific Authority that the export or import of a specimen of a particular species will not impact negatively on the survival of that species in the wild.  

NGO: Non-governmental organisation (also eNGO – environmental NGO). 

NI: Northern Ireland. 

Pegasus: The IT system used by APHA, JNCC and Kew to receive, evaluate and issue applications for CITES permits and certificates.

PoE: Point of entry or  exit.  

Purpose code: An alphabetical letter used on CITES permits and certificates to indicate the purpose of trade in the specimen covered by the document.

RBG Kew or Kew: The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew which is the Flora Scientific Authority for UK CITES.

Res or Res Conf: Resolution. An agreement between CITES Parties about the interpretation of the Convention or application of its provisions.  

REUL:  Retained EU Law, the name given to the body of assimilated law between 1 January 2021 and 31 December 2023.  The name was changed, without affecting the content, on 1 January 2024 – see s.5 Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Act 2023.

REUL Act: The Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Act 2023, which addresses the status of REUL and provides powers for its amendment or revocation. 

SA: Scientific Authority. Responsible for providing scientific advice to its Management Authority, particularly whether the export of a specimen will be detrimental to the survival of the species in the wild. The UK’s SAs are: Joint Nature Conservation Committee – for fauna; and the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew – for flora.  

SC: Standing Committee, an intersessional governance structure for MEA decision-making between CoPs.  

Source code: An alphabetical letter used on CITES permits and certificates to indicate the source of the specimen covered by the document.

TEC: Travelling Exhibition Certificate. Allows the movement of Annex A or B specimens across multiple borders as part of a travelling exhibition.  

UK MA: UK Management Authority for CITES.  

UK SA: UK Scientific Authority for CITES. 

UK WTRs: UK Wildlife Trade Regulations – generic term for legislation GB retained post-EU Exit.  

WCA: Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.