Non-CITES trade

Council Regulation (EC) No 338/97 provides for the control of trade in certain species that are not listed in the Appendices to CITES; such species may be listed in Annexes A, B or D. Monitoring of trade in these species is entirely dependent on reporting by EU Member States; this section provides an overview of this trade[1] in 2014.

EU imports of non-CITES taxa listed in the EU Annexes in 2014 principally comprised Annex D reptile skins, dried plants and plant derivatives. Imports of particular note include: skins of Homalopsis buccata (Masked water snake), Elaphe carinata (King rat snake) and E. radiata (Copperhead rat snake); derivatives of Harpagophytum spp. (Devil’s claw); Haliotis midae (Perlemoen abalone) shells and live Ctenosaura quiquecarinata (Club-tailed iguana). The top non-CITES species exported by the EU by volume in 2014 was Columba livia (Rock dove). 

Eight non-CITES Annex A or B taxa were imported by Member States in 2014. As in 2013, a major proportion of the trade consisted of live Trachemys scripta elegans (Red-eared slider) imported for scientific purposes, the majority of which were wild-sourced. Four live T. scripta elegans were imported for personal purposes in 2014. Imports of live specimens of this species increased by 8% between 2013 and 2014. This species will be removed from the Annexes following its inclusion in EU Regulation 1143/2014 on Invasive Alien Species.

EU-reported imports of non-CITES Annex A and B taxa in 2014. Quantities have been rounded to the nearest whole number, if appropriate.

[l]Group Annex [l]Taxon [l]Importer [l]Exporter (Origin, if applicable) [l]Source [l]Purpose [r]Qty [l]Term
[l]Mammals [l]A [l][i]Hystrix cristata[/i] (Crested porcupine) [l]France [l]Switzerland [l]C [l]Z [r]1 [l]live
[l]Mammals [l]A [l][i]Hystrix cristata[/i] (Crested porcupine) [l]Germany [l]Guinea-Bissau [l]W [l]S [r]1 [l]specimens
[l]Mammals [l]A [l][i]Hystrix cristata[/i] (Crested porcupine) [l]Germany [l]Kenya [l]W [l]P [r]2 [l]derivatives
[l]Mammals [l]A [l][i]Hystrix cristata[/i] (Crested porcupine) [l]Germany [l]Liberia [l]W [l]S [r]1 [l]specimens
[l]Mammals [l]A [l][i]Hystrix cristata[/i] (Crested porcupine) [l]Germany [l]Senegal [l]W [l]S [r]9 [l]specimens
[l]Mammals [l]A [l][i]Hystrix cristata[/i] (Crested porcupine) [l]Spain [l]United States [l]C [l]S [r]1 [l]skeletons
[l]Birds [l]A [l][i]Bubulcus ibis[/i] (Cattle egret) [l]Germany [l]Gabon [l]W [l]S [r]1 [l]specimens
[l]Birds [l]A [l][i]Egretta garzetta[/i] (Little egret) [l]Netherlands [l]Russia (Unknown) [l]O [l]Q [r]1 [l]garments
[l]Birds [l]A [l][i]Columba livia[/i] (Rock dove) [l]Spain [l]Australia [l]C [l]T [r]57 [l]live
[l]Birds [l]A [l][i]Columba livia[/i] (Rock dove) [l]Spain [l]United States [l]C [l]T [r]168 [l]live
[l]Birds [l]A [l][i]Struthio camelus[/i] (Ostrich) [l]France [l]Switzerland (Macao) [l]O [l]Q [r]1 [l]carvings
[l]Reptiles [l]B [l][i]Chrysemys picta[/i] (Painted turtle) [l]Germany [l]United States [l]F [l]S [r]190 [l]live
[l]Reptiles [l]B [l][i]Trachemys scripta elegans[/i] (Red-eared slider) [l]Denmark [l]Russia [l]C [l]P [r]2 [l]live
[l]Reptiles [l]B [l][i]Trachemys scripta elegans[/i] (Red-eared slider) [l]Denmark [l]United States [l]W [l]S [r]237 [l]live
[l]Reptiles [l]B [l][i]Trachemys scripta elegans[/i] (Red-eared slider) [l]France [l]United States [l]O [l]P [r]1 [l]live
[l]Reptiles [l]B [l][i]Trachemys scripta elegans[/i] (Red-eared slider) [l]Germany [l]United States [l]C [l]P [r]1 [l]live
[l]Reptiles [l]B [l][i]Trachemys scripta elegans[/i] (Red-eared slider) [l]Germany [l]United States [l]F [l]S [r]70 [l]live
[l]Inverts (non-coral) [l]B [l][i]Graphium sandawanum[/i] (Apo swallowtail) [l]Germany [l]Taiwan, POC (Philippines) [l]U [l]P [r]5 [l]bodies

 

EU imports of Annex D animal taxa principally comprised reptile skins, the majority of which were reported without a source or purpose specified; as in 2013, the primary reptile species in trade were Homalopsis buccata (Masked water snake), Elaphe carinata (King rat snake) and E. radiata (Copperhead rat snake). Imports of H. buccata and E. radiata skins increased in 2014 compared to 2013 (by 14% and 6%, respectively); imports of E. carinata decreased by 3% between 2013 and 2014 but remained above 100 000 skins (Figure below). The vast majority of skins imported in 2014 were imported directly from China, Thailand and Singapore (28%, 27% and 23% respectively).

Imports of skins of Homalopis buccacta (Masked water snake), Elaphe carinata (King rat snake) and Elaphe radiata (Copperhead rat snake) by EU-28 2005-2014, all sources.

The import of 40 kg feathers of Syrmaticus reevesii (Reeves’ pheasant) is of particular note; this trade was entirely wild-sourced and imported from China for commercial purposes. Trade in feathers was higher in 2014 than in the previous nine years.

Haliotis midae (Perlemoen abalone) shells were also imported at notable levels in 2014; however imports reduced by approximately 43% compared to 2013 levels. The vast majority of shells were imported directly from South Africa and were reported without a source or purpose code specified.

In 2014, there were notable levels of trade in live Pterapogon kauderni (Banggai cardinalfish) imported to the EU (22 544 individuals). This species is endemic to Indonesia and is categorised as Endangered by the IUCN: exports were predominantly from Indonesia (58%) and Thailand (42%). A number of decisions were adopted at CoP17 relating to the conservation and management of this species (found in CoP17 Com I. 32).

Other species categorised as Endangered that were imported in low volumes by the EU in 2014 were Ctenosaura quinquecarinata (Club-tailed iguana; 56 individuals), Abronia graminea (Terrestrial arboreal alligator lizard; 11 live individuals), and Dendrolagus goodfellowi (Goodfellow’s tree kangeroo; one live individual). The number of Ctenosaura quinquecarinata in trade was 70% less than 2013 levels and all trade was either source ‘U’ or without a source specified and exported directly from the United States.

Large volumes of Annex D dried plants and plant derivatives were also imported. Most of these were either wild-sourced or reported without a source specified, with the exception of extracts of Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (Bearberry), which were artificially propagated in accordance with Resolution Conf. 11.11 (Rev. CoP15).  The principal plant taxa in trade were Harpagophytum spp. (Devil’s claw; including Harpagophytum procumbens and H. zeyheri), the majority originating in Namibia, and Gentiana lutea (Yellow gentian) mainly originating in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Trade in plants was all for commercial purposes or reported without a purpose specified. Trade in Harpagophytum commodities reported by weight in 2014 increased by 35% compared to 2013, while trade reported by number decreased by 77% over the same period. Trade in Gentiana lutea commodities reported by weight decreased by 17% compared to 2013; no trade in G. lutea reported by number was reported in 2014.

 

Group Taxon Source Purpose Total Term (Unit) Notes
Mammals [i]Dendrolagus goodfellowi[/i] (Goodfellow’s tree kangaroo; EN) U T 1 live Transferred from Annex B in 2008
Birds [i]Syrmaticus reevesii[/i] (Reeves’ pheasant; VU) W T 40 feathers (kg) Endemic to Central China. Population is small, largely unprotected and declining.
Birds [i]Hypargos niveoguttatus[/i] (Peters’ twinspot; LC) U T 10 live Large range and stable population.
Birds [i]Cosmopsarus regius[/i]
(Golden-breasted starling; LC)
U T 26 live Large range and stable population.
Reptiles [i]Physignathus cocincinus[/i] (Chinese water dragon; NE) U T 4014 live Reviewed SRG 48
Reptiles [i]Physignathus cocincinus[/i] (Chinese water dragon; NE) W T 1047 live Reviewed SRG 48
Reptiles [i]Physignathus cocincinus[/i] (Chinese water dragon; NE) unspecified unspecified 3872 live Reviewed SRG 48
Reptiles [i]Abronia graminea[/i] (Terrestrial arboreal alligator lizard; EN) U T 7 live All Abronia included in Appendix II at CoP17
Reptiles [i]Abronia graminea[/i](Terrestrial arboreal alligator lizard; EN) unspecified unspecified 4 live All Abronia included in Appendix II at CoP17
Reptiles [i]Rhacodactylus auriculatus[/i] (New Caledonian bumpy gecko; LC) U T 54 live Reviewed SRG 26
Reptiles [i]Rhacodactylus auriculatus [/i](New Caledonian bumpy gecko; LC) unspecified unspecified 1 live Reviewed SRG 26
Reptiles [i]Rhacodactylus ciliatus[/i] (Eyelash gecko; VU) U T 46 live Reviewed SRG 26
Reptiles [i]Rhacodactylus ciliatus [/i](Eyelash gecko; VU) unspecified unspecified 4 live Reviewed SRG 26
Reptiles [i]Rhacodactylus leachianus [/i](New Caledonia giant gecko; LC) U T 22 live Reviewed SRG 26
Reptiles [i]Teratoscincus scincus [/i](Common wonder gecko; NE) U T 91 live Reviewed SRG 26
Reptiles [i]Zonosaurus karsteni [/i](Karsten’s girdled lizard; LC) unspecified unspecified 6 live Reviewed SRG 26
Reptiles [i]Ctenosaura quinquecarinata[/i] (Club-tailed iguana; NE) U T 12 live Reviewed SRG 49
Reptiles [i]Ctenosaura quinquecarinata[/i] (Club-tailed iguana; NE) unspecified unspecified 44 live Reviewed SRG 49
Reptiles [i]Tribolonotus gracilis [/i](Crocodile skink; LC) U T 10 live Reviewed SRG 26
Reptiles [i]Tribolonotus gracilis [/i](Crocodile skink; LC) unspecified unspecified 420 live Reviewed SRG 26
Reptiles [i]Tribolonotus novaeguineae[/i] (New Guinea helmet skink; LC) unspecified unspecified 56 live Reviewed SRG 26
Reptiles [i]Tribolonotus spp.[/i] W T 50 live Reviewed SRG 26
Reptiles [i]Elaphe carinata[/i] (King rat snake; NE) C T 10 live Reviewed SRG 70
Reptiles [i]Elaphe carinata[/i] (King rat snake; NE) U T 5 live Reviewed SRG 70
Reptiles [i]Elaphe carinata[/i] (King rat snake; NE) unspecified unspecified 305 small leather products Reviewed SRG 70
Reptiles [i]Elaphe carinata[/i] (King rat snake; NE) unspecified unspecified 17 plates (m2) Reviewed SRG 70
Reptiles [i]Elaphe carinata[/i] (King rat snake; NE) unspecified unspecified 4017 plates Reviewed SRG 70
Reptiles [i]Elaphe carinata[/i] (King rat snake; NE) unspecified unspecified 5 skin pieces Reviewed SRG 70
Reptiles [i]Elaphe carinata[/i] (King rat snake; NE) unspecified unspecified 164 162 skins Reviewed SRG 70
Reptiles [i]Elaphe radiata[/i] (Copperhead rat snake; NE) O T 73 skins Reviewed SRG 27
Reptiles [i]Elaphe radiata[/i] (Copperhead rat snake; NE) W T 908 skins Reviewed SRG 27
Reptiles [i]Elaphe radiata[/i] (Copperhead rat snake; NE) unspecified unspecified 4032 small leather products Reviewed SRG 27
Reptiles [i]Elaphe radiata[/i] (Copperhead rat snake; NE) unspecified unspecified 1.5 small leather products (kg) Reviewed SRG 27
Reptiles [i]Elaphe radiata[/i] (Copperhead rat snake; NE) unspecified unspecified 24 live Reviewed SRG 27
Reptiles [i]Elaphe radiata[/i] (Copperhead rat snake; NE) unspecified unspecified 6183 plates Reviewed SRG 27
Reptiles [i]Elaphe radiata[/i] (Copperhead rat snake; NE) unspecified unspecified 176 plates (m2) Reviewed SRG 27
Reptiles [i]Elaphe radiata[/i] (Copperhead rat snake; NE) unspecified unspecified 4 skin pieces Reviewed SRG 27
Reptiles [i]Elaphe radiata[/i] (Copperhead rat snake; NE) unspecified unspecified 104 161 skins Reviewed SRG 27
Reptiles [i]Elaphe taeniura[/i] (Beauty rat snake; NE) unspecified unspecified 15 live Reviewed SRG 27
Reptiles [i]Enhydris bocourti[/i] (Bocourt’s water snake; LC) unspecified unspecified 5156 skins Reviewed SRG 27
Reptiles [i]Homalopsis buccata[/i] (Masked water snake; LC) W T 7100 skins Reviewed SRG 27
Reptiles [i]Homalopsis buccata[/i] (Masked water snake; LC) unspecified unspecified 11 large leather products Reviewed SRG 27
Reptiles [i]Homalopsis buccata[/i] (Masked water snake; LC) unspecified unspecified 817 small leather products Reviewed SRG 27
Reptiles [i]Homalopsis buccata[/i] (Masked water snake; LC) unspecified unspecified 11 940 live Reviewed SRG 27
Reptiles [i]Homalopsis buccata[/i] (Masked water snake; LC) unspecified unspecified 684 plates Reviewed SRG 27
Reptiles [i]Homalopsis buccata[/i] (Masked water snake; LC) unspecified unspecified 26 skin pieces Reviewed SRG 27
Reptiles [i]Homalopsis buccata[/i] (Masked water snake; LC) unspecified unspecified 51 2163 skins Reviewed SRG 27
Reptiles [i]Leioheterodon madagascariensis[/i] (Malagasy giant hognose snake; LC) unspecified unspecified 44 live Endemic to Madagascar; widespread, common and stable population.
Reptiles [i]Rhabdophis subminiatus[/i] (Red-necked keelback; LC) unspecified unspecified 12 live Reviewed SRG 27
Reptiles [i]Lapemis curtus[/i] (Shaw’s sea snake; LC) unspecified unspecified 922 plates Reviewed SRG 27
Reptiles [i]Lapemis curtus[/i] (Shaw’s sea snake; LC) unspecified unspecified 9871 skins Reviewed SRG 27
Fish [i]Pterapogon kauderni[/i](Banggai cardinalfish; EN) C T 13 live Subject to CoP17 decisions
Fish [i]Pterapogon kauderni [/i](Banggai cardinalfish; EN) U T 4773 live Subject to CoP17 decisions
Fish [i]Pterapogon kauderni [/i](Banggai cardinalfish; EN) unspecified unspecified 17 758 live Subject to CoP17 decisions
Inverts [i]Haliotis midae[/i] (Perlemoen abalone; NE) C T 1402 shells (kg) Reviewed SRG 54
Inverts [i]Haliotis midae[/i] (Perlemoen abalone; NE) U T 22 live Reviewed SRG 54
Inverts [i]Haliotis midae[/i] (Perlemoen abalone; NE) unspecified unspecified 60 520 shells Reviewed SRG 54
Plants [i]Arisaema erubescens[/i] (NE) unspecified unspecified 6 powder (kg) Reviewed SRG 28
Plants [i]Arisaema tortuosum[/i] (NE) unspecified unspecified 600 derivatives Reviewed SRG 28
Plants [i]Arnica montana[/i] (Mountain arnica; LC) unspecified unspecified 1500 flowers (kg) Reviewed SRG 28
Plants [i]Othonna herrei[/i] (LC) W T 10 live Reviewed SRG 28
Plants [i]Arctostaphylos uva-ursi[/i](Bearberry; LC) A T 25 extract (kg) Reviewed SRG 28
Plants [i]Arctostaphylos uva-ursi[/i] (Bearberry; LC) W T 7725 dried plants (kg) Reviewed SRG 28
Plants [i]Arctostaphylos uva-ursi[/i[(Bearberry; LC) unspecified unspecified 2991 leaves (kg) Reviewed SRG 28
Plants [i]Gentiana lutea[/i] (Yellow gentian; LC) W T 1000 dried plants (kg) Reviewed SRG 28
Plants [i]Gentiana lutea[/i] (Yellow gentian; LC) W T 22 116 roots (kg) Reviewed SRG 28
Plants [i]Gentiana lutea[/i] (Yellow gentian; LC) unspecified unspecified 1042 roots (kg) Reviewed SRG 28
Plants [i]Cetraria islandica[/i] (Iceland moss; NE) unspecified unspecified 10 449 leaves (kg) Reviewed SRG 28
Plants [i]Dasylirion longissimum[/i] (NE) unspecified unspecified 76 live Reviewed SRG 28
Plants [i]Lycopodium clavatum[/i] (Common clubmoss; NE) W T 4000 dried plants (kg) Reviewed SRG 28
Plants [i]Lycopodium clavatum [/i](Common clubmoss; NE) W T 1200 powder (kg) Reviewed SRG 28
Plants [i]Harpagophytum procumbens[/i] (NE) W T 26 887 dried plants (kg) Plants Committee documents discussed at SRG 24
Plants [i]Harpagophytum procumbens[/i] (NE) W T 62 322 roots (kg) Plants Committee documents discussed at SRG 24
Plants [i]Harpagophytum procumbens[/i] (NE) unspecified unspecified 8000 roots (kg) Plants Committee documents discussed at SRG 24
Plants [i]Harpagophytum procumbens[/i] (NE) unspecified unspecified 21 000 roots Plants Committee documents discussed at SRG 24
Plants (cont.) [i]Harpagophytum spp.[/i](Devil’s claw) W T 23 220 dried plants (kg) Plants Committee documents discussed at SRG 24
Plants (cont.) [i]Harpagophytum spp.[/i](Devil’s claw) W T 9970 powder (kg) Plants Committee documents discussed at SRG 24
Plants (cont.) [i]Harpagophytum spp.[/i](Devil’s claw) W T 62 538 roots (kg) Plants Committee documents discussed at SRG 24
Plants (cont.) [i]Harpagophytum spp.[/i](Devil’s claw) unspecified unspecified 38 000 roots (kg) Plants Committee documents discussed at SRG 24
Plants (cont.) [i]Harpagophytum zeyheri [/i](NE) W T 10 000 dried plants (kg) Plants Committee documents discussed at SRG 24
Plants (cont.) [i]Harpagophytum zeyheri [/i](NE) W T 450 roots (kg) Plants Committee documents discussed at SRG 24
Plants (cont.) [i]Selaginella lepidophylla[/i] (NE) W T 10 000 dried plants (kg) Plants Committee documents discussed at SRG 24
Plants (cont.) [i]Menyanthes trifoliata [/i](Bogbean; LC) unspecified unspecified 2000 dried plants Reviewed SRG 28
Plants (cont.) Adenia glauca (NE) W T 13 live Reviewed SRG 28

This section covers both direct and indirect exports; hereafter, ‘exports’ refers to both direct exports and re-exports, unless otherwise specified.

EU Member States reported the export of six non-CITES taxa listed in Annex A or B. The majority of trade comprised live, captive-bred Columba livia (Rock dove) directly exported for commercial purposes. In total, 5584 C. livia were exported in 2014 (all live and captive-bred), an increase of more than five-fold compared to the 1040 birds exported in 2013, but much lower than the maximum of 23 595 exported in 2011.

EU-reported (re-)exports of non-CITES Annex A and B species in 2014

Group Annex Taxon Origin (Re-exporter) Source Purpose Quantity Term
[l]Mammals [l]A [i][l]Hystrix cristata[/i] (Crested porcupine) [l]Belgium (France) [l]C [l]T [r]1 [l]body
[l]Birds [l]A [i][l]Anas querquedula[/i] (Garganey) [l]Netherlands [l]C [l]T [r]20 [l]live
[l]Birds [l]A [i][l]Egretta garzetta[/i] (Little egret) [l]Belgium (Netherlands) [l]C [l]T [r]2 [l]live
[l]Birds [l]A [i][l]Egretta garzetta[/i] (Little egret) [l]Netherlands (Netherlands) [l]C [l]T [r]4 [l]live
[l]Birds [l]A [i][l]Columba livia[/i] (Rock dove) [l]Spain [l]C [l]T [r]5584 [l]live
[l]Birds [l]B [i][l]Crax fasciolata[/i] (Bare-faced curassow) [l]Belgium [l]C [l]T [r]1 [l]body
[l]Reptiles [l]B [i][l]Trachemys scripta elegans[/i] (Red-eared slider) [l]France [l]C [l]T [r]2 [l]live

[1] Trade in artificially propagated Annex B plants and re-exports of manufactured articles were excluded from the analysis.