The Joint Standing Committee on Treaties today tabled Report 194, which considers amendments to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).

Media release issue date: Wednesday, 17 March 2021

The Joint Standing Committee on Treaties yesterday tabled Report 194, which considers amendments to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). CITES protects endangered species by regulating international trade in those species and the products derived from them. Amendments to the list of protected species covered by CITES are regularly proposed and adopted. The amendments considered in the report include ten Australian native species and four non-native species Australia trades in. 'The Committee supports the amendments,’ said Committee Chair Mr Dave Sharma MP, ‘but the time frame in which amendments come into force means there is usually insufficient or no time for the Committee to undertake an inquiry.’ Report 194 recommends that the Government change its process for referring CITES amendments to the Committee to ensure the Committee can complete an inquiry before the amendments come into force. Report 194 also includes the Committee’s views on an Agreement to amend the Agreement between Australia and Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway on Mutual Recognition in relation to Conformity Assessment, Certificates and Markings. Mutual recognition agreements of this type allow importers to rely on assessments of products made by appropriate bodies in the country of origin for import purposes. The Agreement will align the mutual recognition arrangements with Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway with Australia’s existing Agreement with the EU. The Committee has recommended the ratification of the Agreement amending the Mutual Recognition Agreement with Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway. Media enquiries Ms Natalie Hissey, Office of Mr Dave Sharma MP 02 9327 3988 For background information Committee Secretariat 02 6277 4002 jsct@aph.gov.au For more information about this Committee, you can visit its website. On the site, you can make a submission to an inquiry, read other submissions, and get details for upcoming public hearings. You can also track the Committee and receive email updates by clicking on the blue ‘Track Committee’ button in the bottom right hand corner of the page.  

The Joint Standing Committee on Treaties will hold a public hearing in Canberra on Monday 1 February 2021 to discuss amendments to the Convention on the Trade in Endangered Species (CITES).

Media release issue date: Friday, 29 January 2021

The Joint Standing Committee on Treaties will hold a public hearing in Canberra on Monday 1 February 2021 to discuss amendments to the Convention on the Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). The Committee will hear evidence on changes to the lists of protected species arising from the CITES 18th Conference of the Parties. CITES protects endangered species by regulating international trade in those species and their products. “Two small, but lucrative industries – musical instrument manufacturing and sea cucumber fishing, are likely to be the most affected in Australia,” said Committee Chair Mr Dave Sharma MP. “Musical instrument makers will benefit from an easing of restrictions on the use of Rosewoods, while people wishing to export sea cucumbers will need to obtain a permit to export this endangered species.” The Committee will also review recent amendments to the Agreement on Mutual Recognition in relation to Conformity Assessment, Certificates and Markings between Australia and the Republic of Iceland, the Principality of Liechtenstein and the Kingdom of Norway [European Free Trade Association – European Economic Area]. Public hearing details Date:        Monday 1 February 2021 Time:       11.00am – 12.00 noon Location:  Committee Room 2R1, Parliament House Please note that access to the public hearing is restricted as a pandemic control measure. The hearing can be accessed online. Media inquiries Ms Natalie Hissey, Office of Mr Dave Sharma MP 02 9327 3988 For background information Committee Secretariat 02 6277 4002 jsct@aph.gov.au For more information about this Committee, you can visit its website. On the site, you can make a submission to an inquiry, read other submissions, and get details for upcoming public hearings. You can also track the Committee and receive email updates by clicking on the blue ‘Track Committee’ button in the bottom right hand corner of the page.