About CITES

CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) is an international agreement between governments, aiming to ensure that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten the survival of the species. Because the trade in wild animals and plants crosses borders between countries, the effort to regulate it requires international cooperation to safeguard certain species from illegal international trade.

According to CITES, international trade in the species listed in appendices to the Convention is permitted only to the extent in which the survival of these species is not endangered. The Convention regulates international trade in wild fauna and flora species, their import, export and re-export which are carried out on the basis of permits and certificates issued only after the prescribed conditions have been met.

Convention

The text of the Convention was finally agreed at a meeting of representatives of 80 countries in Washington, D.C., United States of America, on 3 March 1973, and on 1 July 1975 CITES entered in force.

Republic of North Macedonia ratified the CITES in 1999 and the Ministry of Environment and Physical Planning (MoEPP) was appointed as the competent management authority for implementation of the Convention, as well as issuing permits and certificates for regulation of international trade with endangered species of wild fauna and flora.

How CITES works

CITES works by subjecting international trade in specimens of selected species to certain controls. All import, export, re-export and introduction from the sea of species covered by the Convention has to be authorized through a licensing system. Each Party to the Convention must designate one or more Management Authorities in charge of administering that licensing system and one or more Scientific Authorities to advise them on the effects of trade on the status of the species.

The authority competent for issuing documents necessary for introduction, export or transit of endangered wild fauna and flora species in Republic of North Macedonia is the Ministry of Environment and Physical Planning.

Customs authorities are responsible for checking whether consignments of specimens of endangered fauna and flora species are accompanied by appropriate permits or certificates upon their introduction into the EU, export or re-export from the EU or transit through the EU.

CITES endangered species (official link)

The species covered by CITES are listed in three Appendices, according to the degree of protection they need. (link)

Appendix I

Appendix I includes species threatened with extinction. Trade in specimens of these species is permitted only in exceptional circumstances.

Appendix II

Appendix II includes species not necessarily threatened with extinction, but in which trade must be controlled in order to avoid utilization incompatible with their survival.

Appendix III

This Appendix contains species that are protected in at least one country, which has asked other CITES Parties for assistance in controlling the trade. Changes to Appendix III follow a distinct procedure from changes to Appendices I and II, as each Party’s is entitled to make unilateral amendments to it.

Appendix-I specimens

An import permit issued by the Management Authority of the State of import is required. This may be issued only if the specimen is not to be used for primarily commercial purposes and if the import will be for purposes that are not detrimental to the survival of the species. In the case of a live animal or plant, the Scientific Authority must be satisfied that the proposed recipient is suitably equipped to house and care for it. An export permit or re-export certificate issued by the Management Authority of the State of export or re-export is also required.

Appendix-II specimens

An export permit or re-export certificate issued by the Management Authority of the State of export or re-export is required.

Appendix-III specimens

In the case of trade from a State that included the species in Appendix III, an export permit issued by the Management Authority of that State is required. This may be issued only if the specimen was legally obtained and, in the case of a live animal or plant, if it will be prepared and shipped to minimize any risk of injury, damage to health or cruel treatment.

CITES species in North Macedonia

About 100 species are listed in CITES Annexes I, II, III. Among them are 75 birds, 7 mammals, 5 reptiles, 3 plants.

• Falco naumanni
• Pelecanus crispus
• Bubo bubo
• Lynx lynx
• Lutra lutra
• Testudo graeca
• Parnassius apollo
• Cyclamen hederifolium