Switzerland opposes proposals to restart trade in rhino horns and ivory
Switzerland will oppose proposals by southern African countries seeking to relax restrictions on the international trade in white rhinoceros, officials said on Tuesday.
This content was published on
2 minutes
Keystone SDA/sb
The issue will be covered during the Conference of the 183 state parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITESExternal link), which is taking place in the Swiss city of Geneva from August 18-27.
Some 56 proposals to expand and further strengthen the global wildlife trade regime will be discussed and voted on during the international gathering, which takes place every three years.
“The number of issues has increased significantly by about 20% since the last conference,” CITES Secretary-General Ivonne Higuero told reporters in Geneva on Tuesday. “We expect a lively debate over the next few days.”
Among the topics up for discussion are two proposals on white rhinos, which have been heavily poached for their horns for years. Eswatini (former Swaziland) wants to allow the commercial trade of southern white rhinos to sell an existing stock of rhino horn and 20kg a year thereafter. Namibia also proposes to ease the sale of live animals to appropriate destinations, and hunting trophies. Switzerland says it will oppose both measures.
Several elephant proposals are also on the table. Various southern African states would like to discuss the possibility of a controlled trade in African elephant ivory. They argue that the populations are stable or increasing after being well managed in national parks. Eastern, northern and western Africa, however, are proposing a different line advocating a ban on trade. Switzerland says it will support neither proposal. Instead, it says it favours “measures that are intended to prevent local trade in ivory, strengthen controls or deepen national and international cooperation”.
Other proposals include the better protection of giraffe, whose numbers are declining due to the loss of their natural habitat and population growth, as well as reptiles, amphibians, rays and sharks and precious timber species, to name but a few. Switzerland has put forward its own proposal calling for a study into the sustainable trade in tropical fish.
Over 36,000 species are currently protected by the convention, signed in 1973 in Washington. Switzerland ratified the treaty in 1974 and is the depositary state and host of the CITES Secretariat, based in Geneva.
Popular Stories
More
Foreign Affairs
How a top Swiss university is screening Chinese students
Media: Swiss medical services done abroad are billed at Swiss rates
This content was published on
In Switzerland, some medical services carried out abroad are still billed at Swiss rates, despite costing less, RTS reports.
This content was published on
Sophie Hediger, a member of the Swiss national snowboard cross team, has died in an avalanche in Arosa. She was 26 years old.
This content was published on
Several Swiss films exceeded the 100,000 admissions mark worldwide in 2024 and received widespread praise at international film festivals.
Swiss Alpine resorts covered in white gold for Christmas
This content was published on
Many areas at low altitudes in Switzerland are enjoying a blanket of snow. In the mountains, intense precipitation has delighted skiers.
SWISS makes emergency landing in Austria after smoke in cockpit
This content was published on
Swiss International Airlines (SWISS) made an emergency landing of an Airbus in Graz, Austria on Monday evening after engine problems.
L’Oréal acquires South Korean subsidiary of Migros’ cosmetics brand
This content was published on
French cosmetics firm L'Oréal is acquiring Gowoonsesang Cosmetics, the South Korean subsidiary of the Migros-owned Mibelle group, for an undisclosed sum.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Why the Swiss would rather protect whisky than wolves
This content was published on
Livestock owners are likely raising a glass to toast lawmakers who on June 11 took clear aim at Switzerland’s meagre wolf population.
This content was published on
Switzerland has waged war on invasive species. The fight is starting to bear fruit, but private citizens have to lend a hand.
This content was published on
The Federal Office for Food Safety and Veterinary AffairsExternal link released the eels in Lake Murten in western Switzerland. The ray-finned fish had been seized at Geneva Airport. The finding led to the arrest of seven men. An investigation is underway to determine the extent of the trafficking operation. The individuals illegally transported about 130,000…
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.