How have recent cites decisions affected the ivory trade?
In June 1997, the CITES member countries agreed to transfer the African elephant populations of Botswana, Namibia and Zimbabwe from Appendix I to Appendix II, which allows for international commercial trade under a system of permits. Prior to 1997, the three countries were given the right to export sport – hunting trophies for non – commercial purposes as well as live elephants to “appropriate and acceptable” destinations, usually zoos or wildlife preserves. In 1997, the three countries agreed to restrict the sale of ivory to a single, government – controlled center in each country. A resumption of trade – in a one – time shipment of stockpiled ivory to Japan – took place in March 1999. The shipments followed quotas set by the CITES Standing Committee (the executive body of the Convention, made up of government representatives from each region of the world), after specific criteria were met and certified by the Committee.
