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The Hague International Model United Nations Qatar 2014 | 28 – 31 of January 2014
Forum:
General Assembly Third Committee
Issue:
Combating the illicit trade of animals and animal products
Student Officer: Zohaq Syed
Position:
Deputy Chair
Introduction
Illicit trade of animals is officially the fourth largest illegal global trade. These animals are
then used for many ways, such as the making of animal products. The most popular trade of
illicit animals are the African Elephant, Amur Leopard, Amur Tiger, Bengal Tiger, Black Rhino,
Indian Elephant, Leatherback Turtle, however this is also leading to the endangerment of these
species. This goes into the making of wild animal skins for clothing,
Poachers are responsible for the hunting and catching of these animals which are then
sold to put into different uses. Due to poaching there are less than 3200 wild tigers. Furthermore
these profits are then used to purchase drugs, weapons, support terrorist related activities and
civil conflicts. About 1000 forest rangers have been killed in the past decade, worldwide in
trying to maintain the lives of these animals.
Due to deforestation it causes the endangerment of the eco system and enhances the
illicit trades, because as the animal becomes rare, the demand is increasing so does the prices,
therefore the rate of endangerment and illegal trading increases. Therefore as these natural
habitats are cut down, this affects the biodiversity and causes a ripple effect of the food chain,
causing a subtle yet major crisis for these animals.
Definition of Key Terms
Endangerment: Hazard; to put someone or something at risk, in this case in the form of
extinction.
Poacher: A person who hunts or catches game or fish illegally.
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Forest Rangers: Personnel employed and entrusted with the protection and
preservation of parklands. They often are responsible for tracking
poaching activity.
Deforestation: The clearing of forest in the form of the cutting down of trees.
Ecosystem: A biological community of interacting organisms and their physical
environment.
Biodiversity: The variety of life in the world or in a particular habitat or ecosystem.
Background Information
Illegal Wildlife trade is defined as an environmental crime, in violation to CITES
(Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora.) The trade
for live animals and animal products is in use for cash, fashion accessories (animal skins),
culture, ingredients for medicine, artifacts, hunting trophies, the selling of bush meat and etc.
This prominence of illegal wildlife trade has been a significant issue for many years, because of
it’s detrimental affects environmentally. Seeing that this trade is identified an environmental
crime all aspects of it, from the methods that are used in order to process the trade, to its
outcomes, should all be considered as crimes.
These illegal trades are causing a negative impact on the wild life species, as these
animals such as the tigers, rhinos, elephants are endangered species, on the verge to extinction
unless serious action is taken. However it has become a very big business and is running by
international networks having the illicit trade of animals and animal product, just like weaponry
and drugs, and has an estimation of hundreds of millions of dollars. Furthermore, if this biodiversity loss is to continue 13 to 42% of the animals in South East Asia could be extinct within
the duration of the twenty first century. It is necessary to make note of the fact that these
animals also play a significant role in servicing the environment. The services play key roles in
areas such as providing for a fresh water supply, climate stability, and food production.
Major Countries and Organizations Involved
Country or Organization
South Africa
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The Poaching of Rhino in South Africa has averaged 14 animals per year and has been
going on for 16 years, from 1990 to 2005. It’s believed as a myth that in Vietnam that rhino horn
can cure cancer which then leading it to massive poaching on rhino’s in South Africa making it
competitive pricing with gold due to the demand. Therefore in 2012 a total of 668 Rhinos were
killed and in latest recording (May 2013) 367 Rhinos were killed, causing the endangerment of
these species.
Germany
Germany has demanded a UN resolution on poaching. They’ve worked with Gabon into
taking serious action against poachers, collaborating with WWF and TRAFFIC to put an end to
this, and save thousands of lives of endangered animals, where the demand keep increasing as
tht population of the specific animal keep decreasing.
WWF
The World Wide Fund for Nature is an international non-governmental organization
founded in April 29th 1961, functions on solving issues regarding the sustainability of the
environment. They are working on more than 3000 projects, as once of their significant issue is
about pollution, the change in climate, endangered species, biodiversity, oceans and etc. One of
their main projects is focusing and solving the illegal trade of wildlife animals and products,
seeking help with TRAFFIC and CITES.
TRAFFIC
TRAFFIC’s mission statement is “the wild life trade monitoring network, works to ensure
that trade in animals is not a threat to the conservation of nature.” The organization was
recognized in 1976 and their partnering with WWF and IUCN. They are located in almost 30
countries worldwide and employed 100 staff.
CITES
Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Life and Flora is a
multilateral treaty for the protection animals. Adopted in 1963 as a resolution, CITES was then
put into action 1st July of 1975. Their aim is to make sure that the legal trade of the animals does
not threaten the survival of the species.
IFAW
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The Hague International Model United Nations Qatar 2014 | 28 – 31 of January 2014
The International Fund for Animal Welfare was founded in 1969, as their vision is on
saving/ protecting animals (populations) and habitats all over the world. They contribute
solutions for the long term protection of animals and their habitats and in special cases
individual animals too. With a team of veterinarians, scientists, rescue workers and having
regional compains aroun d the world in order to achieve global influence and impact.
Timeline of Events
Date
Description of event
1975
WWF collaborates with CITES and TRAFFIC which then started
persuading government in an increase in protection of species and
wildlife control
1989
IFAW bans on selling elephant ivory, saving the life of thousand
elephants, however in japan and china they managed to open limited
trade.
2003
WWF convinces the UK government to follow by the Criminal Justice Bill,
so the illegal trade of animals and body parts are an arrestable offence.
2009
Russia has banned the killing of harp seals that 12 months old
12th September 2013 Prince William collaborates to conserve with WWF
30th May 2013
367 Rhinos killed in South Africa
Relevant UN Treaties and Events
· Crime Prevention and criminal justice responses against illicit trafficking in
endangered species of wild fauna and flora, 28th July 2001
·
Illicit Trafficking of endangered species (A/RES/55/25)
·
Criminal Justice responses to trafficking in endangered species (A/RES/11/36)
· Combating illicit international trafficking in forest products, including timber,
wildlife, and other forest biological resources species (A/RES/16/1)
Previous Attempts to solve the Issue
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WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature) enhances Public Education to spread the news on
illegal trade of animals and animal products. By convincing customers to be careful and
selective on their choices they make for purchasing. Not only the shopper but the manufacture,
supplier and store keepers. WWF provides advice and support to CITES, also researches along
with TRAFFIC to monitor wildlife trade routes, the effects of the trade on a particular species.
This significant information is then crucial for CITES to plan and take action for the illegal trade
of animals and products.
The Tightening and Enforcing Legislation are one of the previous attempts to solve this
Issue; in fact it is still going on by developing workshops, creation of new regulations and train/
fund anti-poaching Brigades.
The EcoHealth Alliance has ongoing projects of informing international trade and animal
health groups, to strengthen policies on wildlife. Handing resources to travelers and airport staff
to increase the awareness of illegal animal trade. Take action based on scientific research
findings and the decline of populations due to illegal trading.
Possible Solutions
Create an anti-poaching Campaign with regional Headquarters around the world and
setting camps in countries with the most of the illegal trade of animals and animal products.
Have a monthly check by TRAFFIC in the trading market of these animals and reporting it to
WWF if changes need to be made. Also an addition of Rangers in Russia, Kenya, India for the
protection elephants, tigers and etc.
Have significant and life changing consequences to individuals or groups who interact
with the illegal trade of animals and animal products, such as jail time and community service, in
order to send out a message through media, that rigorous action is being taken on the illegal
trade of animals and animal products.
Develop Breeding Centers to save the endangerment on certain species that are in a
major crisis, with protection and intensifying care for the animals. Having the WWF provide the
required necessities and the TRAFFIC making that certain species a major priority to look out
for in the illicit trade of animals and animal products/
The construction of national parks for the preservation of wildlife ranging from tigers to
rhinos, would help slow down the rate of trading of these animals. Have veterinarians come in
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once every three months to check and maintain the animal’s health, also regular check ups by
security on the natural habitat.
Bibliography
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"Stopping Illegal Wildlife Trade." - EcoHealth Alliance. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Oct. 2013.
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