Thailand’s protected areas contain the largest remaining stocks of Siam rosewood, coveted in China as a sign of wealth and prosperity. Exporting Thai rosewood is illegal, but smugglers are stealing billions of dollars worth each year
As UN trade restrictions on endangered Siam rosewood come into effect, EIA warned the future of the species relies on range states and key user countries delivering on their protection obligations. EIA played a key role in supporting the Thai and Vietnamese governments efforts to secure CITES protection for the species
A propaganda battle – or charm offensive, if you’re feeling expansive – is already under way in a bid to win over hearts and wallets if not minds to secure international approval for a legal trade in rhino horn, overturning a ban which has been in place for more than 30 years
EIA has called on China’s Redwood Committee and its parent timber trade federation to ensure policies and members do not underwrite the destruction of a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Thailand’s violent rosewood wars after the Thai Government claimed demand for Siam rosewood left it unable to stop armed illegal loggers
So, the 16th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) has concluded. EIA campaigners and friends from range states were at this massive meeting in Bangkok, working hard and calling on Parties to stop stimulating demand for ivory, Asian big cats and rosewood
Given that the elephant poaching crisis was at the forefront of the minds of all at the 16th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to CITES as never before, what was actually done by CITES to stop the killing of elephants across Africa?