UAE qualifies for Category 1 status for its legislation on trade in endangered wild fauna and flora

This indicates that the UAE is now included in the same category among countries who have placed the combating of illegal trade of fauna and flora as a high priority.

Other countries in Category I include some from the European Union (EU), Japan, Australia, Canada, Switzerland, Spain, and Singapore.

This was reported in a document prepared by the Secretariat and which will be set forth during the 53rd meeting of the Standing Committee in Geneva, Switzerland from 27 June -1 July, 2005.

Federal Law No. 11 for 2002

The UAE has reached this status due to its efforts in issuing Federal Law No. 11 for 2002 on Regulating and Controlling International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. This law deemed it illegal to import, export and re-export or offer for sale any animals, plants or derivatives that have not been obtained under the CITES requirements. In addition, penalties and/or imprisonment were made applicable. The law was vital because it formed the legal infrastructure to implement and enforce CITES regulations in the UAE.

UAE CITES Authorities

However, even before this law was issued, procedures had already begun to reorganise the structure of the Management and Scientific authorities of CITES in the UAE in order to increase collaboration and unify efforts to combat illegal trade in fauna and flora. The authorities include the Federal Environmental Agency (CITES Management Authority for Abu Dhabi Emirate), Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries (CITES Management Authority for Dubai and the Northern Emirates), and the Environmental Research and Wildlife Development Agency (CITES Scientific Authority) on local CITES implementation.

Following the issue of this law in 2002, Ministerial Council Decision No. 22 of the year 2003 was issued by the Minister of Justice, Islamic Affairs and Endowments. The decision determined 16 officials from all UAE CITES Authorities to implement judicial enforcement for the above-mentioned law. Since 2003, these officials have been responsible for confiscating a number of endangered species such as birds of prey and houbara.

Capacity Building

In addition, the Scientific Authority in cooperation with the Emirates Wildlife Society/World Wide Fund for Nature - UAE Project Office and the CITES Secretariat, increased capacity building of its staff and that of other officials relevant to CITES enforcement (such as Federal Environmental Agency and Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries) by carrying out a number of training workshops and awareness programmes. Staff involved in enforcement at the Customs and points of entry and exit in the country are currently been targeted for training.

All Appendices were translated into Arabic and were published in the Official Gazette. Awareness was also increased on the public's role in helping authorities combat this illegal trade, through the publication of awareness material such as brochures and through the local press

Falcon Passports

Not only did authorities in the UAE promote public awareness about the subject but the UAE began a unique initiative in the region by registering falcons and issuing them documents to be used in a similar way as 'passports'. So far, over 800 passports have been issued.