Bill on international trade in endangered species of wild fauna and flora discussed at plenary

A bill to regulate international trade in endangered species of wild fauna and flora was brought to the floor on Tuesday at a plenary of the Assembly of People's Representatives (ARP), in the presence of Agriculture and Water Resources Minister Abdelmonem Belaati. The adoption of this draft law (No. 37 of 2023) will help preserve environment and protect its systems from degradation and extinction through necessary legislative, regulatory and technical measures. The latter are required to implement the provisions of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) which Tunisia ratified in 1974, making of it the 4th ratifying country across the globe and the first in the Arab world. According to Article 8 of CITES "Parties shall take appropriate measures to enforce the provisions of the present Convention". CITES is an international agreement between governments. Its aim is to ensure that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten the survival of the species. It requires Parties to the Convention not to trade in listed species other than in accordance with the Convention. Tunisia has listed 21 animal species and granted around 600 import and export permits under the Convention. These data were published by the Directorate General of Forests following a working session held by the Agriculture Ministry on February 14, 2022, to discuss a draft decree on national legislation governing these endangered species and its three supplements. Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse