[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 13 (Friday, January 20, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 3319-3322]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-594]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
Request for Information and Recommendations on Species Proposals,
Resolutions, Decisions, and Agenda Items for Consideration at the
Fourteenth Regular Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the
Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna
and Flora; U.S. Approach for the Meeting of the Conference of the
Parties
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice; request for information.
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SUMMARY: In order to implement the Convention on International Trade in
Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES or the Convention),
the Parties to the Convention meet periodically to review which species
in international trade should be regulated and other aspects of the
implementation of CITES. The fourteenth regular meeting of the
Conference of the Parties to CITES (CoP14) is tentatively scheduled to
be held June 3-15, 2007, in The Hague, Netherlands. Therefore, with
this notice we are soliciting recommendations for amending Appendices I
and II of CITES at CoP14. We are also soliciting recommendations for
resolutions, decisions, and agenda items for discussion at CoP14. We
invite you to provide us with information and recommendations on animal
and plant species that should be considered as candidates for U.S.
proposals to amend CITES Appendices I and II. Such amendments may
concern the addition of species to Appendix I or II, the transfer of
species from one Appendix to another, or the removal of species from
Appendix II. We also invite you to provide us with information and
recommendations on possible resolutions, decisions, and agenda items
for discussion at the upcoming meeting. Finally, with this notice we
also describe the U.S. approach to preparations for CoP14.
DATES: We will consider all information and comments received by March
20, 2006.
ADDRESSES: Send correspondence pertaining to species proposals to the
Division of Scientific Authority; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; 4401
North Fairfax Drive; Room 750; Arlington, Virginia 22203, or via E-mail
to: scientificauthority@fws.gov. Comments and materials received
pertaining to species proposals will be available for public
inspection, by appointment, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through
Friday, at the Division of Scientific Authority.
Send correspondence pertaining to resolutions, decisions, and
agenda items to the Division of Management Authority; U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service; 4401 North Fairfax Drive; Room 700; Arlington,
Virginia 22203, or via E-mail at: CoP14@fws.gov. Comments and materials
received pertaining to resolutions, decisions, and agenda items will be
available for public inspection, by appointment, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.,
Monday through Friday, at the Division of Management Authority.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information pertaining to species
proposals: Robert R. Gabel, Chief, Division of Scientific Authority,
phone 703-358-1708, fax 703-358-2276, E-mail:
scientificauthority@fws.gov.
For information pertaining to resolutions, decisions, and agenda
items: Peter O. Thomas, Chief, Division of Management Authority, phone
703-358-2095, fax 703-358-2298, E-mail: CoP14@fws.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION
Background
The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild
Fauna and Flora, hereinafter referred to as CITES or the Convention, is
an international treaty designed to control and regulate international
trade in certain animal and plant species that are now or potentially
may be threatened with extinction. These species are listed in the
Appendices to CITES, which are available on the CITES Secretariat's Web
site at http://www.cites.org/eng/app/index.shtml. Currently, 169
countries, including the United States, are Parties to CITES. The
Convention calls for biennial meetings of the Conference of the
Parties, which review its implementation, make provisions enabling the
CITES Secretariat in Switzerland to carry out its functions, consider
amendments to the list of species in Appendices I and II, consider
reports presented by the Secretariat, and make recommendations for the
improved effectiveness of CITES. Any country that is a Party to CITES
may propose amendments to Appendices I and II, resolutions, decisions,
and/or agenda items for consideration by all the Parties.
This is our first in a series of Federal Register notices that,
together with announced public meetings, provide you with an
opportunity to participate in the development of the U.S. negotiating
positions for the fourteenth regular meeting of the Conference of the
Parties to CITES (CoP14). Our regulations governing this public process
are found in 50 CFR 23.31-23.39.
Announcement of the Fourteenth Meeting of the Conference of the Parties
We hereby notify you of the convening of CoP14, which is
tentatively scheduled to be held June 3-15, 2007, in The Hague,
Netherlands.
U.S. Approach for CoP14
What Are the Priorities for U.S. Submissions to CoP14?
Priorities for U.S. submissions to CoP14 continue to be consistent
with the overall objective of U.S. participation in the Convention: to
maximize the effectiveness of the Convention in the conservation and
sustainable use of species subject to
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international trade. With this in mind, we plan to consider the
following factors in determining which issues to submit for inclusion
in the agenda at CoP14:
(1) Does the proposed action address a serious wildlife trade issue
that the United States is experiencing as a range country for species
in trade? Since our primary responsibility is the conservation of our
domestic wildlife resources, we will give native species our highest
priority. We will place particular emphasis on terrestrial and
freshwater species with the majority of their range in the United
States and its territories that are or may be in significant trade;
marine species that occur in U.S. waters or for which the United States
is a major exporter; and threatened and endangered species for which we
and other Federal and State agencies already have statutory
responsibility for protection and recovery. We also consider CITES
listings as a proactive measure to monitor and manage trade in native
species to preclude the need for the application of stricter measures,
such as listing under the Endangered Species Act and/or inclusion in
CITES Appendix I.
(2) Does the proposed action address a serious wildlife trade issue
for species not native to the United States? As a major importer of
wildlife and wildlife products, the United States has taken
responsibility, by working in close consultation with range countries,
for addressing cases of potential over-exploitation of foreign species
in the wild. In some cases, the United States may not be a range
country or a significant trading country for a species, but we will
work closely with other countries to conserve species being threatened
by unsustainable exploitation for international trade. We will consider
CITES listings for species not native to the United States if that
listing will assist in addressing cases of potential over-exploitation
of foreign species in the wild, and in preventing illegal, unregulated
trade, especially if the United States is a major importer. These
species will be prioritized based on the extent of trade and status of
the species, and also the role the species play in the ecosystem, with
emphasis on those species for which a CITES listing would offer the
greatest conservation benefits to the species, associated species, and
their habitats.
(3) Does the proposed action address difficulties in implementing
or interpreting the Convention by the United States as an importing or
exporting country, and would the proposed action contribute to the
effective implementation of the Convention by all Parties? Differences
in interpretation of the Convention by 169 Party nations can result in
inconsistencies in the way it is implemented. In addition, wildlife
trade is dynamic and ever-changing, thus presenting problems when
established procedures are not readily applicable to new situations.
The United States experiences some of these problems and
inconsistencies directly through its own imports and exports, but we
also learn of these difficulties through our participation in various
fora, such as the CITES Standing Committee and the technical
committees, and through discussions with other countries, non-
governmental organizations, and the Secretariat. When the United States
cannot resolve these difficulties unilaterally or through one-on-one
discussions with trading partners, it may propose resolutions or
decisions, usually in collaboration with other Parties, or have these
topics placed on the agenda of the meeting of the Conference of the
Parties for discussion by all of the Parties.
(4) Does the proposed action improve implementation of the
Convention by increasing the quality of information and expertise used
to support decisions by the Parties? With increased complexity,
sophistication, and specialization in the biological sciences and other
disciplines, it is critical that the CITES Parties have the best
available information upon which to base decisions that affect the
conservation of wildlife resources. Where appropriate, the United
States will recommend actions to ensure the availability of up-to-date
and accurate information to the Parties, including through the
establishment of relationships with relevant international bodies,
including other conventions, interjurisdictional resource management
agencies, and international non-governmental organizations with
relevant expertise.
Request for Information and Recommendations for Amending Appendices I
or II
One of the purposes of this notice is to solicit information and
recommendations that will help us identify species that the United
States should propose as candidates for addition to, removal from, or
reclassification in the CITES Appendices, or to identify issues
warranting attention by the CITES Nomenclature Committee. This request
is not limited to species occurring in the United States. Any Party may
submit proposals concerning animal or plant species occurring in the
wild anywhere in the world. We encourage the submission of information
on species for possible inclusion in the Appendices if these species
are subject to international trade that may be detrimental to the
survival of the species. We also encourage you to keep in mind the U.S.
approach to CoP14, described above in this notice, when determining
which species the United States should propose for possible inclusion
in the Appendices.
Complete proposals are not being requested at this time, but are
always welcome. Rather, we are asking you to submit convincing
information describing: (1) The status of the species, especially trend
information; (2) conservation and management programs for the species,
including the effectiveness of enforcement efforts; and (3) the level
of domestic as well as international trade in the species, especially
trend information. You may also provide any other relevant information.
References are appreciated.
The term ``species'' is defined in CITES as ``any species, sub-
species, or geographically separate population thereof.'' Each species
for which trade is controlled under CITES is included in one of three
Appendices, either as a separate listing or incorporated within the
listing of a higher taxon. The basic standards for inclusion of species
in the Appendices are contained in Article II of CITES. Appendix I
includes species threatened with extinction that are or may be affected
by trade. Appendix II includes species that, although not necessarily
now threatened with extinction, may become so unless trade in them is
strictly controlled. Appendix II also lists species that must be
subject to regulation in order that trade in other CITES-listed species
may be brought under effective control. Such listings frequently are
necessary because of difficulty inspectors have at ports of entry or
exit in distinguishing specimens of currently or potentially threatened
species from other species. As Appendix III only includes species that
any Parties list unilaterally, we are not seeking input on possible
U.S. Appendix-III listings with this notice, and we will not consider
or respond to comments received concerning Appendix-III listings.
CITES specifies that international trade in any readily
recognizable parts or derivatives of animals listed in Appendices I or
II, or plants listed in Appendix I, is subject to the same conditions
that apply to trade in the whole organisms. With certain standard
exclusions formally approved by the Parties, the same applies to the
readily recognizable parts and derivatives of
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most plant species listed in Appendix II. Parts and derivatives usually
not included (i.e., not regulated) for Appendix-II plants are: seeds,
spores, pollen (including pollinia), and seedlings or tissue cultures
obtained in vitro and transported in sterile containers. You may refer
to 50 CFR 23.23(d); and the October 6, 1995, Federal Register (60 FR
52450) and February 22, 1996, Federal Register (61 FR 6793) for further
exceptions and limitations.
In 1994, the CITES Parties adopted criteria for inclusion of
species in Appendices I and II, which were revised at CoP13 (in
Resolution Conf. 9.24 (Rev. CoP13)) in October 2004. These criteria
apply to all listing proposals and are available from the CITES
Secretariat's Web site at http://www.cites.org, or upon request from
the Division of Scientific Authority at the above address. Resolution
Conf. 9.24 (Rev. CoP13) also provides a format for complete proposals.
What Information Should Be Submitted?
In response to this notice, to provide us with information and
recommendations on species subject to international trade for possible
proposals to amend the Appendices, please include as much of the
following information as possible in your submission:
(1) Scientific name and common name;
(2) Population size estimates (including references if available);
(3) Population trend information;
(4) Threats to the species (other than trade);
(5) Level/trend of international trade (as specific as possible but
without a request for new searches of our records);
(6) Level/trend in total take from the wild (as specific as
reasonable); and
(7) Short summary statement clearly presenting the rationale for
inclusion in or removal or transfer from one of the Appendices,
including which of the criteria in Resolution Conf. 9.24 (Rev. CoP13)
are met.
If you wish to submit more complete proposals for us to consider,
please consult Resolution Conf. 9.24 (Rev. CoP13) for the format for
proposals and a detailed explanation of each of the categories.
Proposals to transfer a species from Appendix I to Appendix II, or to
remove a species from Appendix II, must also be in accordance with the
precautionary measures described in Annex 4 of Resolution Conf. 9.24
(Rev. CoP13). If you have information on species that are potential
candidates for CITES proposals, we encourage you to contact the
Division of Scientific Authority.
What Will We Do With the Information We Receive?
One important function of the CITES Scientific Authority of each
Party country is the monitoring of international trade in plant and
animal species, and ongoing scientific assessments of the impact of
that trade on species. For native U.S. species listed in Appendix I and
II, we monitor trade and export permits we authorize, so that we can
prevent over-utilization and restrict exports if necessary. We also
work closely with our States, to ensure that species are correctly
listed in the CITES Appendices (or not listed, if a listing is not
warranted). We actively seek information about U.S. and foreign species
subject to international trade. The information submitted will help us
monitor trade and its impact, as well as help us decide if we should
submit or co-sponsor a proposal to amend the CITES Appendices. However,
there may be species that qualify for CITES listing but for which we
decide not to submit a proposal to CoP14. Our decision will be based on
a number of factors, including scientific and trade information,
whether or not the species is native to the United States, and for
foreign species, whether or not a proposal is supported or co-sponsored
by at least one range country for the species. These factors and others
are included in the U.S. approach to CoP14, described above in this
notice. We intend to carefully consider all factors of the U.S.
approach when deciding which species the United States should propose
for possible inclusion in the Appendices.
We will consult range countries for foreign species, and for
species we share with other countries, subsequent to receiving and
analyzing the information provided by the public.
Request for Information and Recommendations on Resolutions, Decisions,
and Agenda Items
Although we have not yet received formal notice of the provisional
agenda for CoP14, we invite your input on possible agenda items that
the United States could recommend for inclusion, or on possible
resolutions and/or decisions of the Conference of the Parties that the
United States could submit for consideration. Copies of the agenda and
the results of the last meeting of the Conference of the Parties
(CoP13) in Bangkok, Thailand, in October 2004, as well as copies of all
resolutions and decisions of the Conference of the Parties currently in
effect, are available from the CITES Secretariat's Web site (http://
www.cites.org/) or the Division of Management Authority at the above
address. Copies of a list of species proposals adopted at CoP13 are
also available from the Division of Scientific Authority at the above
address.
Observers
Article XI, paragraph 7 of CITES provides: ``Any body or agency
technically qualified in protection, conservation or management of wild
fauna and flora, in the following categories, which has informed the
Secretariat of its desire to be represented at meetings of the
Conference by observers, shall be admitted unless at least one-third of
the Parties present object:
(a) International agencies or bodies, either governmental or non-
governmental, and national governmental agencies and bodies; and
(b) National non-governmental agencies or bodies which have been
approved for this purpose by the State in which they are located.
Once admitted, these observers shall have the right to participate
but not to vote.''
National agencies or organizations within the United States must
obtain our approval to participate in CoP14, whereas international
agencies or organizations must obtain approval directly from the CITES
Secretariat. We will publish information in a future Federal Register
notice on how to request approved observer status. A fact sheet on the
process is posted on our Web site at: http://www.fws.gov/international/
pdf/ob.pdf.
Future Actions
The next regular meeting of the Conference of the Parties (CoP14)
is tentatively scheduled to be held June 3-15, 2007, in The Hague,
Netherlands. We have developed a tentative U.S. schedule to prepare for
that meeting. The United States must submit any proposals to amend
Appendix I or II, or any draft resolutions, decisions, and/or agenda
items for discussion at CoP14, to the CITES Secretariat 150 days prior
to the start of the meeting. In order to accommodate this deadline, we
plan to publish a Federal Register notice approximately 10 months prior
to CoP14 announcing tentative species proposals, draft resolutions,
draft decisions, and agenda items to be submitted by the United States,
and to solicit further information and comments on them.
Approximately 9 months prior to CoP14, we will tentatively hold a
public
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meeting to allow for additional public input. Approximately 4 months
prior to CoP14, we will post on our Web site an announcement of the
species proposals, draft resolutions, draft decisions, and agenda items
submitted by the United States to the CITES Secretariat for
consideration at CoP14. The deadline for submission of the proposals,
draft resolutions, draft decisions, and agenda items to the Secretariat
will be 150 days prior to the start of the meeting (tentatively early
January 2007).
Through a series of additional notices and Web site postings in
advance of CoP14, we will inform you about preliminary negotiating
positions on resolutions, decisions, and amendments to the Appendices
proposed by other Parties for consideration at CoP14, and about how to
obtain observer status from us. We will also publish announcements of
public meetings tentatively to be held approximately 9 months prior to
CoP14, and approximately 2 months prior to CoP14, to receive public
input on our positions regarding CoP14 issues.
Author: The primary authors of this notice are Frank Kohn and
Clifton Horton, Division of Management Authority; under the authority
of the U.S. Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531
et seq.).
Dated: December 21, 2005.
Marshall Jones,
Director, Fish and Wildlife Service.
(Notice: Request for information and recommendations on species
proposals, resolutions, decisions, and agenda items for
consideration at the fourteenth regular meeting of the Conference of
the Parties to CITES; U.S. approach for the meeting of the
Conference of the Parties.)
[FR Doc. E6-594 Filed 1-19-06; 8:45 am]
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