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SAINT LUCIA

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Towards the more effective implementation of CITES

Innternational trade in more than 30, 000 species of plants and animals is controlled by a United Nations Agreement called the Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). Saint Lucia became a Party to CITES in 1982.

CITES prohibits international commercial trade and regulates non-commercial trade in plant and animal species that are threatened with extinction and those that are, or may be affected by trade. These species are listed in Appendix I of the Convention and include black coral and all species of marine turtles. CITES uses a system of permits to ensure that international trade is sustainable for many species that are not threatened with extinction, but could become so, if international trade is not strictly regulated. Such species are listed in Appendix II and include queen conch (lambi). Appendix III contains species subject to regulation within a particular country and for which the cooperation of other countries is sought to help regulate trade.

While Saint Lucia has been a Party to CITES for about two decades, no legislative means exists to effectively implement the Convention. Over the past few months, a CITES Legislative Working Group has been overseeing the development of CITES enabling legislation for Saint Lucia, under the guidance of the Chief Legislative Drafter from the office of the Attorney General and the CITES Secretariat. The Working Group includes representatives from the Department of Fisheries (Chair), Department of Forestry, Veterinary Division, Crop Protection Unit, Biodiversity Project, Ministry of Commerce and Customs and Excise Department. National CITES legislation will include, among other provisions: the designation of management and scientific authorities; the prohibition of trade in specimens in violation of the Convention; penalties for prohibited trade; and provision for the confiscation of unlawfully traded or possessed specimens. It is anticipated that Saint Lucia’s enabling legislation for CITES will be enacted by March 2003.