The latest legal briefing from the Club on the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).CITES is one of the largest and oldest conservation and sustainable use agreements in existence. It works by subjecting international trade in specimens of selected species to certain controls. All import, export and introduction of species covered by the Convention has to be authorised through a licensing system.

For Members, it is important that their customers are aware of the implications of this Convention. Breaches may lead to fines or penalties, customs seizures and a forced return of specimens to exporting States, all of which will involve financial costs and delay.

This legal briefing was created by the UK Club's environmental team, led by

and is one of a continuing series of publications, which shares the legal expertise within the Club with our Members. If you have any questions, regarding CITES please contact either

or

.