Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES)

The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) is a voluntary, international agreement between participating governments.  It aims to ensure that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten species survival.  This is accomplished through a permitting and/or licensing system to monitor and control the import and export/re-export of protected species, as identified in the appendices to the CITES Convention.