Pools Voorzitterschap coördineert EU-bijdrage aan bijeenkomst tegen handel in bedreigde diersoorten (en)
The 61st meeting of the Standing Committee (CITES) began on 15th August with the participation of experts from the Ministry of the Environment.
The CITES Standing Committee is the most important body of the convention alongside the Conference of the Parties on International Trade in Endangered Species and Wild Fauna and Flora. Contrary to scientific bodies such as the Committee of Flora and Fauna and the Committee of Animals, it deals with political and controversial issues. The role of the Polish Presidency is to coordinate the position of the Member States of the EU. In connection with this, the Polish representatives present at the meeting will strive to achieve a constructive discussion with the Union partners about their diverging views. Following these actions it will be possible for Poland to present the most important issues at the forum of the committee, on behalf of the whole EU and all Member States.
One of the proposals of the EU at the meeting regards the examination of farming issues and so-calling ranching. Farms run in the correct way, where their actions reduce the pressure on the wild population, are better for the species. It is similar in the case of properly-run ranching for some specimens. In case of insufficient regulation regarding breeding activities, they may however be a front for harvesting species from the wild. As a result the EU suggests investigating this matter. It argues for this by underlining that the regulation of these matters will also bring benefits to export countries, reducing the effect of unfair competition which exporters who act in accordance with CITES standards have to deal with.
The next issue which the experts gathered in Geneva will be looking at isthe protection of rhinoceroses. In the case of these animals a worrying growth in demand for their horns has been observed. The reason for this is the conviction about the alleged influence of rhinoceros horns on the prevention and treatment of cancer. The increased demand and horrendous prices for rhinoceros horns mean that poaching is rising drastically, and can even a wave of mass thefts of rhinoceros horns has been noted for example in museums. The EU is encouraging countries to deal with this problem by means of an information campaign questioning the alleged medical features of rhinoceros horns. The Member States have already taken up a stricter approach, only allowing the sale and shipping of rhinoceros horns in extraordinary situations, where there is no concern that the objects will be used for making these controversial medicines.
In addition to the above-mentioned problems, the members will also debate a range of other issues which are no less vital for the protection of species endangered by international trade (due to the demand for their specimens) such as sturgeons (in particular caviar), tortoises and freshwater turtles (farmed animals, ornaments and nutrition), large Asian cats (e.g. tigers of which almost every part is used to create diverse Asian medicines or ornaments and amulets), elephants (ivory), Asian snakes (leather items, animals bred as a hobby, and in some Asian markets: as food and an ingredient in paramedical substances), mahogany and other woody species.
The meeting of the CITES Standing Committee will last until 19th August.
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Ranching - a practise which is based on taking young animals (or eggs for example) from the wild and breeding them in controlled conditions. The taking of animals from their environment obviously causes the population to fall, although in some cases this course of action may be beneficial to the species. This is called ranching if the survival rate of animals in nature is low, while in controlled conditions their survival rate is very high, and as a result some of the animals can return to the wild (often more than were taken in), and some may be traded. This approach should, however, be used exclusively for a limited range of species, who could actually benefit from these actions.