Date: 2022-06-24Category: Not ApplicableState: Union GovernmentCountry: Europe
Council Decision (EU) 2022/982 of 16 June 2022 on the submission, on behalf of the European Union, of proposals to amend Appendices I and II to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) with a view to the 19th Conference of the Parties to CITES, and of a species to include in Appendix III to CITES
Executive Summary:
This Council Decision concerns the submission of proposals by the European Union to amend the Appendices of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) in advance of the 19th Conference of the Parties (CoP). The proposals involve amending Appendices I and II, and including a species in Appendix III to CITES. These proposals were submitted to the CITES Secretariat by June 17, 2022, to be decided on during the CoP meeting from November 14-25, 2022.
Key Points / Main Content:
* **Amendments to Appendices I and II of CITES:**
* The EU will submit proposals for amendments to Appendices I and II to CITES, as detailed in Annex I.
* The EU will co-submit proposals for amendments to Appendix II to CITES, as detailed in Annex II.
* Annex I lists specific taxonomic groups and taxa, including reptiles, amphibians, fish, invertebrates, trees, and other plants, with proposals to include them in Appendix II or transfer them from Appendix II to Appendix I. Specific annotations are included for some species.
* Annex II lists Requiem sharks to be included in Appendix II and is proposed by Panama.
* **Inclusion in Appendix III to CITES:**
* The EU will submit Caribena versicolor for inclusion in Appendix III to CITES, as detailed in Annex III.
* **Entry into Force:**
* This Decision entered into force on June 16, 2022.
Impact Analysis:
* **European Union:**
* Impact: The EU is responsible for submitting proposals for amendments to CITES appendices and for including a species in Appendix III.
* Action Required: Submit the proposals outlined in Annexes I, II, and III to the CITES Secretariat.
* **Conference of the Parties (CoP) to CITES:**
* Impact: The CoP will consider and decide on the proposals submitted by the EU and other parties during its 19th meeting.
* Action Required: Evaluate and vote on the proposed amendments to Appendices I and II and the inclusion of species in Appendix III.
* **Parties to CITES:**
* Impact: Parties to CITES are required to cooperate in controlling trade of species included in Appendix III.
* Action Required: Implement necessary regulations and controls for trade in Caribena versicolor, as it will be included in Appendix III.
* **CITES Secretariat:**
* Impact: The CITES Secretariat receives proposals for amendments to Appendices I and II and additions to Appendix III.
* Action Required: Distribute the proposals to the Parties and include them in the documentation for the 19th meeting of the CoP.
Key Entities Referenced
Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora: An international agreement to ensure that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten the survival of the species.
CITES: Short name for the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora
European Union: A political and economic alliance of European countries
Council of the European Union: A body of the European Union
European Commission: An institution of the European Union, responsible for proposing legislation, implementing decisions, upholding the EU treaties and managing the day-to-day business of the EU.
Conference of the Parties to CITES: The governing body of CITES, consisting of all Parties to the Convention.
Luxembourg: Location where the decision was adopted.
African Mahogany: Common name for Khaya spp. included in Appendix II with Annotation 17
24.6.2022 EN Official Journal of the European Union L 167/95
DECISIONS
COUNCIL DECISION (EU) 2022/982
of 16 June 2022
on the submission, on behalf of the European Union, of proposals to amend Appendices I and II to
the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) with
a view to the 19th Conference of the Parties to CITES, and of a species to include in Appendix III to
CITES
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Article 192(1), in conjunction
with Article 218(9), thereof,
Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission,
Whereas:
(1) The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) entered into force on
1 July 1975. The Union acceded to CITES by Council Decision (EU) 2015/451(1).
(2) Pursuant to Article XI(3) of CITES, the Conference of the Parties to CITES (CoP) may, inter alia, adopt decisions to
amend Appendices I and II to CITES.
(3) In addition, pursuant to Article XVI of CITES, any Party to CITES may submit to the CITES Secretariat a list of species
for inclusion in Appendix III to CITES which that Party identifies as being subject to regulation within its jurisdiction
for the purpose of preventing or restricting exploitation, and as needing the cooperation of other Parties in the
control of trade.
(4) During its 19th meeting, to be held from 14 to 25 November 2022, the CoP will decide on proposals to amend
Appendices I and II to CITES. Parties must submit such proposals to the CITES Secretariat by 17 June 2022. The
Union may, as a Party to CITES, make such proposals.
(5) The submission of proposals for consideration by the CoP is based on an expert analysis of the merits of such
proposals, in accordance with the criteria established in CITES and in light of the best available scientific evidence.
Such evidence supports the proposals set out in this Decision, which aim to ensure that trade in the species
concerned does not threaten their survival in the wild,
HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:
Article 1
With a view to the 19th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered
Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), the Union shall:
— submit the proposals for amendments to Appendices I and II to CITES as set out in Annex I to this Decision,
— co-submit the proposals for amendments to Appendix II to CITES as set out in Annex II to this Decision.
(1) Council Decision (EU) 2015/451 of 6 March 2015 concerning the accession of the European Union to the Convention on
International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) (OJ L 75, 19.3.2015, p. 1).L 167/96 EN Official Journal of the European Union 24.6.2022
Article 2
The Union shall submit the species listed in Annex III to this Decision for inclusion in Appendix III to CITES.
Article 3
This Decision shall enter into force on the date of its adoption.
Done at Luxembourg, 16 June 2022.
For the Council
The President
O. DUSSOPT24.6.2022 EN Official Journal of the European Union L 167/97
ANNEX I
Amendments to Appendices I and II to CITES
Taxonomic group Taxon (common name) Proposal
Reptiles Physignathus cocincinus Include in Appendix II
(Chinese water dragon)
Cuora galbinifrons Transfer from Appendix II to Appendix I
(Indochinese box turtle)
Amphibians Laotriton laoensis Include in Appendix II
(Laos warty newt) With an annual zero quota (source code W)
for commercial purposes
Agalychnis lemur Include in Appendix II
(Lemur leaf frog) With an annual zero quota (source code W)
for commercial purposes
Fish All species of Sphyrnidae spp. Include in Appendix II
(Hammerhead sharks) not yet included in
Appendix II
Invertebrates Thelenota ananas, T. anax, Include in Appendix II
T. rubralineata
(Sea cucumbers)
Trees Khaya spp. Include in Appendix II with Annotation #17
(African mahogany)
Populations of Africa
Afzelia spp. Include in Appendix II with Annotation #17
(Pod mahogany)
Populations of Africa
Dipteryx spp. Include in Appendix II with Annotation #17
+ seeds
Handroanthus spp. Include in Appendix II with Annotation #17
(Trumpet tree); Tabebuia spp. and
Roseodendron spp.
Pterocarpus spp. Include in Appendix II with Annotation #17
(Padauk)
Populations of Africa
Other plants Rhodiola spp. Include in Appendix II with Annotation #2L 167/98 EN Official Journal of the European Union 24.6.2022
ANNEX II
Amendment to Appendix II to CITES to be co-submitted
Proposed by Taxonomic group Taxon (common name) Proposal
Panama Cartilaginous fishes Carcharhinidae Include in Appendix II
spp. Requiem sharks24.6.2022 EN Official Journal of the European Union L 167/99
ANNEX III
Amendment to Appendix III to CITES
Caribena versicolor Appendix III