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Kenya to be removed from CITES list in Feb 2017

Xinhua, October 14, 2016 Adjust font size:

Kenya will be removed from the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) list of countries of concern with respect to illegal trade in ivory in February 2017, the wildlife agency said on Thursday.

Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) Head of CITES Implementation Solomon Kyalo told Xinhua in Nairobi that this follows recommendations by the 17th meeting of the Conference of Parties of the CITES that took place in South Africa early this month.

"CITES secretariat will soon send a notification that Kenya has complied with all requirements because it has reached highest level of implementation to be removed from the list," Kyalo said on the sidelines of the 10th Annual Carnivore Conference.

According to CITES rules, all recommendations by the Conference of Parties take effect 90 days after the end of the meeting which concluded on Oct. 5.

Countries on the CITES list are required to send reports on the progress they are undertaking to eliminate trade in elephant and ivory products.

"This year, there has not been any reported case of ivory transiting through Kenyan ports, while poaching of elephants has reduced by approximately 70 percent of the levels witnessed in 2015," Kyalo said.

In addition, the East African nation is also finalizing draft regulations on the new wildlife law that enhances punishment for wildlife criminals.

In 2015, there were eight countries on the CITES list of concern regarding trade in illegal elephant and elephant products. "However the figure has increased to 19 due increased trade in ivory products," he said. Endit