Animal Network accuses Cites of failing to stamp out bribery, corruption, animal abuse

ANIMAL Network, a South African animal rights organisation, has accused the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (Cites) of failing to ensure the humane regulation of the trade in international wildlife.

Cites will meet in Johannesburg for its 17th international conference starting on Saturday.

“Every year, Cites rubberstamps the trade in thousands of live animals from Africa, but corruption and a complete disregard for the well-being of these animals means that most will suffer mistreatment and many will experience unimaginable cruelty during their capture and transport,” the Network said yesterday.

“Cites is charged with ensuring the international trade in wildlife is soundly regulated and sustainable, but bribery, a lack of enforcement and a reluctance to tackle the issue of animal welfare means that Cites is failing miserably in its task,” said David Barritt, Network’s chief campaigner.

“The Cites permit system is fundamentally flawed because it is easy to fake an export certificate or obtain one by bribery. Cites does not check the paperwork, which means that in practice, the trade in wild animals is out of control.”

An Animal Network study of the trade in wildlife – whether legal or illegal – revealed it was cruel to animals and was leading to biodiversity loss, species loss, the introduction of invasive species and the spread of disease, said Barritt.

For example, more than 60% of pathogens responsible for human diseases – like rabies, ebola and avian flu – are of animal origin and the majority of these pathogens come from wildlife.

The transport and trade of unhealthy and stressed animals across international borders poses severe risks for human health and yet Cites has no rules in place for inspecting these animals; the responsibility for inspection and quarantine falls on the parties themselves.

In some countries, animals like cows, rodents or primates are subject to strict inspection protocols, but others (like reptiles, amphibians and fish) are not subject to quarantine, even though they might carry dangerous pathogens.

Researchers have also documented how up to 100% of birds in Senegal and Indonesia; 85% of ornamental fish in India and Hawaii; and 50% of chameleons captured in Madagascar die before being exported.

Traded animals suffer and die because few people who capture animals are proficient in their proper care.

Many die because of injury, stress, crushing, starvation, temperature shock and disease.

“The Cites quota system does not account for the high mortalities that characterise the trade in wildlife, even though this obviously has an impact on the sustainability of a population or species,” said Barritt.

The Cites Conference of the Parties (CoP) which runs until October 5 is supposed to be a forum for resolving problems like these, but Barritt claims virtually all governments will prepare their positions beforehand and will hide behind the secrecy involved in voting.

“The Convention needs urgent reform and must begin to tackle the cruelty… that characterises the trade in wildlife, both legal and illegal.” – African News Agency