CITES Standing Committee Struggles with Tiger Trade

At an October 2006 meeting of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) Standing Committee, the group failed to reach an agreement on a U.S.-submitted document discussing illegal trade in tiger parts, prompting criticism from environmental NGOs that fear widespread poaching. The U.S. document, which expressed "serious concern over the declining status of wild tiger populations," urged better reporting and increased funding for enforcement efforts in targeted states. If endorsed, the document would have required China and India to demonstrate compliance by April 2007 or risk trade sanctions … [more]