CoP16

The 16th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to CITES

In March 2013, the United States delegation to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) will travel to Thailand, equipped with formal proposals and negotiating positions, for the 16th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties (CoP16) - the world’s largest and most influential meeting on international wildlife trade.

Every two to three years, a meeting of the CoP is held to review, discuss, and negotiate changes in the implementation of CITES, including changes in protections for certain species. The 16th regular meeting of the Conference of the Parties (CoP16) is tentatively scheduled to be held in Bangkok, Thailand, March 3-14, 2013.

U.S. Submits Species Listing Proposals, Resolutions and Other Agenda Items to CITES Secretariat for CoP16

On October 4, 2012, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service submitted a number of species proposals and other agenda items for consideration during CoP16. The species proposals represent an important platform for the United States as we work to ensure the sustainable use of plants and animals subject to international trade. These proposals will be among those considered by the 176 nations that have joined the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).

In November 2012, the United States will publish a Federal Register notice announcing the tentative agenda for CoP16 and will seek comments on the agenda. We will also announce a public meeting to be held in December. The public comment period will remain open for 60 days from the date of publication. We look forward to receiving comments and information from the public, our partners, the scientific community and other interested parties.

U.S. Proposals to Amend the CITES Appendices

Oceanic whitetip shark (Carcharhinus longimanus): proposal to include the species in Appendix II (this proposal is being co-sponsored by Colombia). This proposal will be posted and available soon.
Polar bear (Ursus maritimus): proposal to transfer from Appendix II to Appendix I. Read the proposal.
Burmese star tortoise (Geochelone platynota): proposal to transfer the species from Appendix II to Appendix I. Read the proposal.
Big-headed turtle (family Platysternidae): proposal to transfer from Appendix II to Appendix I (this proposal is being co-sponsored by Viet Nam). Read the proposal.
Asian pond and river turtles: proposal to include the family Geoemydidae, excluding the genus Rhinoclemmys (nine species), and 11 additional species: Mauremys caspica, M. leprosa, M. rivulata, M. reevesii, M. sinensis, M. megalocephala, M. iversoni, M. pritchardi, Ocadia glyphistoma, Ocadia philippeni, and Sacalia pseudocellata, in Appendix II (this proposal is being co-sponsored by China). Read the proposal.
Asian softshell turtles: proposal to include all Asian species in the family Trionychidae, excluding Pelodiscus sinensis and Rafetus euphraticus, in Appendix II (this proposal is being co-sponsored by China). Read the proposal.
Roti Island snake-necked turtle (Chelodina mccordi): proposal to transfer the species from Appendix II to Appendix I. Read the proposal.
Blanding’s turtle (Emydoidea blandingii): proposal to include the species in Appendix II. Read the proposal.
Diamondback terrapin (Malaclemys terrapin): proposal to include the species in Appendix II. Read the proposal.
Spotted turtle (Clemmys guttata): proposal to include the species in Appendix II. Read the proposal.
Asian ginseng (Panax ginseng) and American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius): proposal to amend the annotation to the listings in Appendix II. Read the proposal.
Laguna Beach live-forever (Dudleya stolonifera) and Santa Barbara Island live-forever (Dudleya traskiae): proposal to remove from Appendix II. Read the proposal.

Additional Documents Submitted for Inclusion in the Agenda for CoP16

Cross-border movement of musical instruments: a document proposing a new resolution and amendments to Resolution Conf. 12.3 (Rev. CoP15) on Permits and certificates to streamline permitting requirements. Read the resolution.
Permit and tagging requirements for leopard trophies: a document proposing revisions to Resolution Conf. 10.14 (Rev. CoP14) on Quotas for leopard hunting trophies and skins for personal use (co-sponsored by Botswana and South Africa). Read the resolution.

For a provisional list of the species proposals submitted by all CITES Parties, please visit the CITES website.

Federal Register Notices

June 21, 2012: The Service published a Federal Register notice informing the public of proposed resolutions, decisions, and agenda items that are being considered for submission at CoP16. This notice takes into account all public comments received in response to the Federal Register notice dated on November 7, 2011. An extended version of the Federal Register notice describes each of these issues in more detail and explains the rationale for United States' current thinking and tentative position. The 60-day public comment period will remain open until August 20, 2012.
April 11, 2012: The Service published a Federal Register notice that informs the public of plants and animals that are under consideration for U.S. submission of proposals (species proposals) to amend the CITES Appendices. This notice takes into account all public comments received in response to the Federal Register notice dated on June 14, 2011. An extended version of the Federal Register notice describes each recommended action, as well as those developed internally, and explains the rationale for United States' current thinking about submission of species proposals for CoP16. The Service is seeking additional biological and trade information on potential species proposals.
November 7, 2011: The Service published a Federal Register notice requesting recommendations on resolutions, decisions, and agenda items that would provide clear guidance on the interpretation and effective implementation of CITES. The 60-day public comment period closed on January 6, 2012
June 14, 2011: The Service published a Federal Register notice requesting recommendations for amendments to the CITES Appendices. The 60-day public comment period closed on August 15, 2011.

Banner Credits: Pink Lady's Slipper orchid: Thomas Barnes/University of Kentucky; Primate: Vanessa Woods