Changes in the List of Species in Appendices to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora

The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES or Convention) regulates international trade in certain animals and plants. Species or other taxa for which such trade is controlled are listed in Appendices I, II, and III to CITES. The countries participating in this treaty, including the United States, adopted amendments to Appendices I and II at the ninth meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP9) in November, 1994. The United States did not enter a reservation against any of the adopted amendments. This document incorporates all these amendments into the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's (Service) regulations implementing CITES. This rule includes an amended, complete listing of CITES- protected animal and plant taxa (50 CFR 23.23) that incorporates the adopted amendments. This new list also incorporates extensive recommendations of the Nomenclature Committee adopted by the Parties, including changes in scientific names and/or listing sequences resulting from adoption of new, standard, taxonomic references for birds and mammals. These taxonomic changes do not affect the status under CITES of any listed animal or plant and do not change the attendant responsibilities of the United States or any other CITES Party for regulating trade in same. The introductory text of the revised Sec. 23.23 also incorporates new language regarding trade in certain ornamental plants, based on proposals submitted by Australia through the CITES postal procedures and adopted by the Parties in 1993.