This is a companion piece to the h2g2 Edited Entry on Parrots

Over the years, the trade in endangered species has put many wild animals and plants at risk of extinction. CITES¹ was therefore created as a means of safeguarding species from over-exploitation by trade through international cooperation. When it came came into force on 1st July 1975, international discussion about conservation was still very much a novelty. Today, it is now a multi-billion dollar industry. CITES provides varying degrees of protection to more than 30,000 species. Although CITES is legally binding to the countries² that have voluntarily signed, it does not take the place of national laws. There are now 169 parties signed up to the CITES agreement.

The Appendices

CITIES offers three different levels or types of protection. These different levels are known as Appendices:

• Appendix I: The most endangered species which are threatened with extinction are covered by this Appendix. Trade is prohibited in those species listed, except for the purposes of scientific research when import and export, or re-export permits must be obtained. The vast majority of the 316 parrot species fall under this category.

• Appendix II: This Appendix lists species that are vulnerable ie, are not currently threatened with extinction, but exploitation may make them so. Trade can be permitted with the appropriate export or re-export permit.

• Appendix III: This Appendix is different as it is not compulsory. It lists species that certain members of CITES have concerns about and request the cooperation of the other members to cease trading in these species.

CITES Appendix I Parrots

Cockatoos

Loriidae Lories, lorikeets

Psittacidae Amazons, macaws, parakeets, parrots