IATA and animal convention team-up to fight illegal animal trade

IATA and the Secretariat of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to cooperate on reducing illegal trade in wildlife and ensuring the safe and secure transport of legally traded wildlife.
The agreement will see the two groups develop a formal framework for their ongoing cooperation on the implementation of standards and best practices such as the IATA Live Animals Regulations, the IATA Perishable Cargo Regulations, and the CITES Guidelines for the Non-Air Transport of Live Wild Animals and Plants.
IATA director general and chief executive Tony Tyler said: “This MOU formalizes our work programs. The responsibility for enforcement of the rules governing international wildlife trade is clearly with governments.
“But well-trained airline staff can be an invaluable source of information on suspicious passenger behavior and unusual shipments."
CITES secretary general John Scanlon said: “IATA and its member airlines can play a critical role in assisting customs and other enforcement agencies by gathering valuable intelligence of suspicious activities and raising awareness among customers, passengers, and staff of the devastating impacts of this illegal trade.
“The profound impact this poaching and illegal trade is having upon entire species and ecosystems and the services they provide, local peoples and their livelihoods, national economies, and national and regional security is now increasingly well recognised.
“We warmly welcome the strengthening of our collaboration with IATA to address guidelines and standards for legal trade and to now extend our collaboration to combatting illegal trade in wildlife.”
The two groups will also support joint training and communications activities.
Next week’s Air Cargo News features our annual Animals by Air feature.