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Treaties Committee supports the protection of endangered fauna and flora
The Convention, known as CITES, provides for international cooperation to protect and conserve species of fauna and flora from over-exploitation due to international trade. The amendments will alter the level of control imposed upon trade in a number of species that are either endangered or at risk of becoming endangered. In particular, the Convention now affords protection to Australian species of sawfish for the first time. The Committee examined the impact of this listing upon one species, freshwater sawfish, which is found in northern Australia and exported in small numbers to overseas aquaria. The Committee has recommended that the Australian Government continue to monitor and assess the impact of trade in this species, which is considered critically endangered internationally. It has also made several recommendations concerning the policies and procedures associated with the protection of the species under Australian domestic law. The Committee has also recommended that Australia take binding treaty action in relation to the 2006 International Tropical Timber Agreement. This agreement succeeds similar agreements dating back to 1983 and will promote the expansion and diversification of international trade in tropical timber from sustainably managed and legally harvested forests. The Committee has recommended that any future agreement on sustainable trade in tropical timber should specifically include consultation with environmental groups. Report 93 also contains the Committee’s support for amendments to Australia’s double taxation agreement with South Africa, which will update taxation arrangements between the two countries and promote closer economic cooperation. Report 93 is available on the Treaties Committee’s website. More information
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The Federal Parliament’s Treaties Committee has released a report supporting amendments to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora subject to a number of recommendations.