Improving InternatIonal Systems for Trade in Reptile Skins based on Sustainable use

ImprovIng InternatIonal SyStemS Trade repTile SkinS baSed SuSTainable uSe ho di : © ry ad ni ko vS - ot ol ia . om York Geneva, 2012 ImprovIng InternatIonal SyStemS Trade repTile SkinS baSed SuSTainable uSe ii Improving International Systems Trade Reptile Skins based Sustainable NOTE material contained publication freely quoted reprinted, acknowledgement requested, reference document number. copy publication quotation reprint UNCTAD Secretariat, : Palais des Nations, 1211 Geneva 10, Switzerland. designations employed presentation material imply expression position whatsoever part United Nations Secretariat legal status country, territory, city area, authorities, delimitation frontiers boundaries, economic system degree development. views expressed publication authors necessarily reflect views United Nations Secretariat. information UNCTAD’ BioTrade Initiative consult website: http://www.unctad.org/biotrade contact: biotrade@unctad.org. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS publication prepared UNCTAD BioTrade Initiative Grahame JW Webb1,2, Charlie Manolis1,2 Robert WG Jenkins.1 UNCTAD gratefully acknowledges support Swiss State Secretariat Economic Affairs (SECO) publication. 1 Species management specialists (hank.jenkins@consol.net.au). 2 Wildlife Management International Pty Limited (gwebb@wmi..au; cmanolis@wmi..au). UNITED NATIONS PUBLICATION © Copyright United Nations, 2012 rights reserved UNCTAD/DITC/TED/2011/7 iii Contents Acronyms................................................................................................................................................. iv 1. Introduction ...............................................................................................1 2. Historical context – “ ” ............................................3 2.1.General.comments............................................................................................................................... 3 2.2.Changing.paradigms............................................................................................................................ 3 2.3..introduction..CITES..................................................................................................................... 3 2.4..impact..CITES...reptile.skin.trade........................................................................................ 4 2.5..future.impact..CITES...reptile.skin.trade............................................................................... 4 3. current status trade – “ ” ..................................7 3.1.Crocodilians......................................................................................................................................... 7 3.2.Lizards................................................................................................................................................. 8 3.3.Snakes................................................................................................................................................. 9 4. future – “ ” .................................................11 4.4.1.....multi-stakeholder.forum..strong.industry.involvement......................................... 11 4.2.Legal..illegal.trade..CITES................................................................................................ 11 4.3.Certification....................................................................................................................................... 12 4.4..dilemma..captive.breeding........................................................................................................ 12 4.5.Improving.compliance..CITES...................................................................................................... 13 4.6.Increasing.concerns..animal.welfare.......................................................................................... 13 4.7.Identification.difficulties...................................................................................................................... 13 4.8.Understanding.supply.chains.............................................................................................................. 14 4.9.Education..communication............................................................................................................ 16 REFERENCES .........................................................................................17 iv Improving International Systems Trade Reptile Skins based Sustainable ACRONYMS CITES Convention International Trade Endangered Species Wild Fauna Flora CSG Crocodile Specialist Group IRATA Indonesian Reptile Trade Association IUCN International Union Conservation Nature NGO -governmental organization SECO Swiss State Secretariat Economic Affairs UNEP-WCMC United Nations Environment Programme World Conservation Monitoring Centre 1I. Introduction international reptile skin industry flourished expanded 100 years, providing benefits consumers terms products, generating economic benefits flow supply chains stakeholders involved. social cultural context industry exists continues change time. industry started, interest wildlife conservation embryonic people concerned - welfare reptiles. 1960s, public political interest wildlife biodiversity conservation grown exponentially, spawning tiers wildlife legislation national international levels. broad umbrella wildlife conservation, public concerns animal welfare animal rights flourished, number -governmental organizations (NGOs) active fields increased greatly. Corporations involved high- retail marketing reptile leather fashion goods , sophisticated branding advertising achieve goal. corporations increasing public expectation model corporate citizens conduct business. Part expectation skins derived legally sustainable sources, ways compromise animal welfare. proved easier demonstrate crocodilian skins snake lizard skins, Southeast Asia. snake lizard skin industry highly fragmented competitive, sources supply chains closely guarded commercial secrets. , escaping fact reptile skin trade depends killing skinning snakes, lizards crocodiles, offensive people organizations philosophically opposed lethal animals (proponents animal rights). animal rights proponents, reptile skin industry moral ethical exist. snake skin trade, media attacks led corporations immediately restrict sourcing skins closed-cycle captive breeding farms, abandoning skins wild harvest. attempt alter supply chain sourcing created problems solved. diverted benefits hunters living poverty, encouraged illegal trade, economic incentives falsify permits, , carried full knowledge arranged cosmetic fraudulent practice. large snake skins laundered captive breeding farms meet “market expectations” -meaning corporations, simply means corporations digging deeper hole originally. assumption supply chains skins fittings incorporated finished leather products micromanaged, ensure step legal, socially acceptable biologically sustainable, time complies -changing public attitudes ethics morality, fraught practical economic difficulties problems criticisms continue. individual corporations respond public criticism ultimately business decision. making cosmetic modus operandi aimed side-stepping solving problems backfire. Public interest issues reflects public ignorance supply chains benefits trade. difficult avoid conclusion corporations informed supply chains present, familiar conservation benefits trade. aim present report examine changing context reptile skin trade existed (“ ”), extent current industry regulatory strengths weaknesses (“ ”), future bring (“ ”). terms future directions, key themes considered: • Increasing public profile reptile skin industry fostering engagement market-based incentives conservation sustainable reptiles habitats. • Identifying prioritizing current potentially positive negative issues linked production trade reptile skins, bearing mind public support ultimately hinges positives outweighing negatives. 1. INTRODUCTION 2 Improving International Systems Trade Reptile Skins based Sustainable • Examining ways collaboration private sector, governments international organizations beneficial conservation, trade stakeholders involved. 32. Historical context – “ ” 2.1 General comments Reptile skins (snakes, lizards, crocodilians turtles) people handicrafts drum skins thousands years, reptile skin fashion industry evolved largely 20th century. trade reptile skins remains restricted small group species characterized large body size, producing larger pieces leather. Historically, reptile skins fashion industry wild reptiles killed specifically trade, countries consumers purchased final products. 1960s, killing wild reptiles trade largely unmanaged, meant rarely application wildlife management principles practices harvest. Business supply chains overly encumbered regulation, control issuance permits. obligation stakeholders reptile skin business exercise stewardship resource, involved conservation. strong commercial incentives social economic - people, living poverty, collecting raw product. 2.2 Changing paradigms changed 1960s 1970s. pivotal contribution change publication “Red Data Book” 1963 International Union Conservation Nature (IUCN). identified range species, including reptiles, scientists considered endangered: species extinct causal factors causing population decline ( excessive harvesting commercial trade) halted. concept endangered species captured scientific public interest, stimulated existing environmental NGOs renewed action, spawned plethora NGOs. Increased political action quickly, reflected improved national wildlife legislation, controls imports exports. backlash businesses involved high- fashion industry obvious. simply unfashionable wear furs spotted cats carry handbags crocodile snake skin. 2.3 introduction CITES Convention International Trade Endangered Species Wild Fauna Flora (CITES) force 1975 175 nations contracting parties. landmark international effort ensure wildlife international trade excessive drove wildlife species extinction. CITES identified species considered severely depleted trade risk extinction trade, imposed international trade ban ( listing species Appendix ). aim foster population recovery, eyes NGOs, aim stop trade completely. species identified endangered trade extent wild harvest regulated detrimental survival species (listed Appendix II). international trade Appendix-II reptile species, parts (including skin, meat, teeth, claws, blood, .) products (luxury leather goods), needed CITES export permit, issued exporting state. states required presentation reciprocal CITES import permit, represented adoption stricter domestic measures. main focus CITES : • Identify species endangered trade (Appendix ) vulnerable reaching state (Appendix II). • stop trade suspected causing extinction (Appendix ). • permit system trade Appendix-II species essentially certified trade legal sustainable ( detrimental survival species). provisions CITES Convention, interpretation time clarified resolutions parties, important reptile leather industry: • Appendix- species bred captivity traded specimens Appendix-II species. • Species threatened trade listed Appendix II looked threatened species, easily identified distinguished CITES-listed species border control officials. 2. HISTORICAL CONTEXT – “WHERE WE CAME FROM” 4 Improving International Systems Trade Reptile Skins based Sustainable • Exemptions requiring CITES export import permits nominally agreed personal products, interpretation implementation remains ambiguous. • Parties Convention impose domestic measures import export CITES- listed species stricter required Convention. Trade reptile species listed appendices CITES subject CITES import export permits, increasingly regulated countries permits issued improved domestic legislation. 2.4 impact CITES reptile skin trade early years CITES generic listings implemented main reptile groups traded. meant crocodilian species, sea turtles, boids (pythons boas) varanid lizard (monitors) listed Appendix Appendix II CITES, involved trade threatened. Generic listing relied “--” provisions CITES. designed prevent trade threatened species continuing basis claims skins species, CITES’ appendices. parties CITES reptile skin businesses jurisdiction, meant trade Appendix- species essentially ceased (captive breeding infancy), trade Appendix-II species delayed management programmes developed achieve demonstrate -detrimental effects trade. prevailing paradigm time trade wildlife simply wrong, worse utilized wild captive-bred populations. USA spearheaded efforts reinstate legal trade American alligators (transferred Appendix Appendix II 1979), required massive research effort great political . Captive breeding appeared guaranteed producing crocodilian skins future, research investment method production flourished. adoption ranching (collecting wild eggs commercial raising farms), devised sea turtles, proved highly successful crocodilians. ranching technique led populations transferred Appendix Appendix II, permitting utilization trade, extended benefits trade landowners. CITES appendices crocodilian species listed 1975 changed continually time, transfers Appendix Appendix II (enhancing trade), rarely Appendix II Appendix (constraining trade). , snake lizard skins, situation post-CITES . Virtually snake lizard species appendices CITES remained appendix originally listed. reasons : • unit snake lizard skins appreciably crocodilian skins, constrains domestic expenditure research management. • Captive production rearing large snake lizard species commercial production skins thought uneconomic attracted investment. • sought species difficult expensive study. • Trade key species python Varanus salvator Indonesia, sustained decades (Scott Siegel, 1992), sustainability thought reflect biological traits high reproductive output ability thrive altered habitats (Shine al., 1996, 1999a, 1999b). • interest groups focussed long-term attention snakes lizards. • application trade controls snake lizard skins ( universal tagging crocodilian skins) investigated. 2.5 future impact CITES reptile skin trade parties CITES seek significant improvements protocols managing international trade snake lizard skins future. snakes listed appendices CITES information trade status wild emerges – 6 million ( 700 tonnes) water snakes harvested annually Cambodia population declining. increasingly obvious years illegal trade countries 52. Historical context – “ ” Southeast Asia occurs higher level previously thought. appears partly fuelled demands market, Europe, obtain “raw salted” skins ( Indonesia Thailand exported), obtain skins CITES export permits claiming “captive bred”, real origin, countries correctly refuse issue. 73. current status trade – “ ” 3.1 Crocodilians 23 species living crocodilians, 100 countries, 13 species commercial international trade (Alligator mississippiensis, Crocodylus porosus, . niloticus, . siamensis, . novaeguineae, . johnstoni, . fuscus, . rhombifer, . acutus, . moreletii, Caiman crocodilus, . latirostris, . yacare). species (Melanosuchus niger) Brazil approved commercial trade traded. commercial skin exports reported 2000 2008 10 crocodilian species, variety reasons (Crocodylus cataphractus, . intermedius, . palustris, . mindorensis, Alligator sinensis, Ostelaemus tetraspis, Paleosuchus trigonatus, . palpebrosus, Gavialis gangeticus, Tomistoma schlegelii). Appendix , commercial captive breeding, commercial . Reported international trade crocodilian skins ranged 1.1 million 1.8 million skins year 1999 2008. skins traded (Table 1) generally divided groups, “classic” “caiman” skins, markets. derived wild harvest, ranching captive breeding operations (Table 1). country origin skins crocodilian species international trade (1999-2008) Annex 2. Exports species (. moreletii, . johnstoni, . rhombfer, . mississippiensis) limited single countries (Mexico, Australia, Cuba USA ), due endemism (3) management practices (1). Caiman latirostris exclusively produced Argentina, . novaeguineae restricted Indonesia Papua Guinea. Crocodylus niloticus traded 15 countries, ranching main form production. Crocodylus porosus produced Australia, Papua Guinea Indonesia (Papua Province) combination ranching, captive breeding wild harvest. Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam, Singapore, Philippines areas Indonesia, species listed Appendix , captive breeding form production. main importers crocodilian skins France, Italy, Japan Singapore, skins -exported tanned. significant importers 3. THE CURRENT STATUS OF TRADE –“WHERE WE ARE NOW” Table 1. Levels international trade crocodilian skins (2000, 2004, 2008) Species 2000 2004 2008 Alligator mississippiensis (, ) 249 155 368 409 230 464 Crocodylus acutus (CB, ) 0 227 1371 Crocodylus johnstoni () 10 0 0 Crocodylus moreletii (CB) 1228 549 724 Crocodylus niloticus (, , CB) 147 311 140 497 169 295 Crocodylus novaeguineae (, ) 23 233 39 796 28 217 Crocodylus porosus (, , CB) 25 791 30 728 53 888 Crocodylus rhombifer (CB) 0 2 0 Crocodylus siamensis (CB) 2417 20 930 63 471 Subtotal (classics) 449 145 601 138 547 430 Caiman crocodilus (, ) 38 155 70 722 36 989 Caiman . fuscus (, CB) 840 993 621 691 533 549 Caiman latirostris () 0 215 809 Caiman yacare (, ) 15 629 41 882 56 194 Subtotal (caimans) 894 777 734 510 627 541 Total 1 224 116 1 335 648 1 174 971 System production: = wild harvest, = ranching, CB = captive breeding. Source: data Caldwell (2010). 8 Improving International Systems Trade Reptile Skins based Sustainable : Korea, Mexico, Panama, Thailand, Germany, UK, USA Spain. crocodilians, major shift time, wild harvested skins skins derived ranching ( wild harvest eggs) captive breeding (McGregor, 2002; Figure 1). exception . siamensis (Cambodia, Viet Nam, Laos, Indonesia, Thailand), skin trade considered significant threat crocodilian species. 3.2 Lizards main lizard species traded internationally skin trade Varanus salvator (Southeast Asia), . niloticus (Africa) Tupinambis sp. (South America). species wide geographical range, international skin trade statistics reflect additional high lizard skin domestic markets (.. . salvator SoutheastAsia). Reported international trade lizard skin declined 1.4 million skins 2000 0.7 million skins Figure 1. origin crocodilian skins trade (1983–99) Source: MacGregor, 2002. Table 2. Net skin exports wild ranched Varanus salvator (Malaysia Indonesia), . niloticus (Africa) Tupinambis merianae . rufescens (South America) Year . salvator . salvator . niloticus . merianae . rufescens Indonesia Malaysia Africa South America South America 2000 538 005 254 801 265 389 122 292 242 924 2001 469 839 225 659 239 179 323 005 144 101 2002 439 949 140 482 198 387 184 193 115 991 2003 432 365 257 930 150 671 253 242 108 922 2004 427 737 213 442 180 222 225 722 124 370 2005 512 914 240 677 136 329 259 106 204 676 2006 426 844 168 962 184 631 272 036 248 454 2007 441 878 97 631 121 191 175 722 76 143 2008 325 666 113 477 100 746 163 760 67 138 2009 275 727 79 157 36 857 Source: CITES database. 0 200,000 400,000 600,000 800,000 1,000,000 1,200,000 1,400,000 1,600,000 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 Nu mb er sk ins ter na tio na tr ad Captive bred Ranched Wild 93. current status trade – “ ” 2008 (Table 2), insufficient information determine reflects changing markets decline abundance. , , reflection people accurately monitoring trade species, listed CITES. 3.3 Snakes Raw international trade data CITES- listed snake species CITES Trade Database, managed United Nations Environment Programme World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC), main species trade Eunectes notaeus (South America), Python reticulatus, . curtus, . brongersmai, . breitstenei, . molurus, Ptyas mucosus, Naja naja, . sputatrix (Southeast Asia) . sebae (Africa). , remain limited data interpret trade figures guide . general situation main species trade appears : • Eunectes notaeus: main exporters Argentina Paraguay (pre-2004); main importers Germany, Italy United States America. • Python molurus: ranched wild harvested skins essentially ceased years, replaced specimens claimed “captive bred”, Viet Nam (average 130 276 skins year 2005 2009), Malaysia (1790 2009). Net exports reported Singapore considered -exports. • Python reticulatus: main exporters Indonesia (wild harvest; 161 311 year 2000–2009), Malaysia (wild harvest; average 177 035 year 2000–2009) Viet Nam (“captive breeding”; average 107 956 year 2006–2009). Main importers Brazil; China, Hong Kong; Spain; France; Italy; Germany; Japan; Republic Korea; Mexico; Singapore; United States America Viet Nam (Figure 2). • . breitensteini: main exporters Indonesia Malaysia, main importers Italy, Singapore, United States America, Brazil Mexico. • . brongersmai: Indonesia Malaysia main exporters, main importers Brazil; China, Hong Kong; Italy; Japan; Republic Korea; Singapore United States America. • . curtus: main exporters Indonesia Malaysia main importers Brazil, China, Spain, Germany, Italy, Japan, Republic Korea, Mexico, United States America Singapore. • . sebae: exported Mali, Chad Sudan (data 2009) quantities Senegal, Niger Ghana. main importers Europe ( Italy), China Egypt (Figure 2). Data trade -CITES listed species snakes readily simply - Figure 2. Exports main species python, 1999–2008 Note: data Python curtus includes . brongersmai . breitensteini, previously considered subspecies . 0 50,000 100,000 150,000 200,000 250,000 300,000 350,000 400,000 450,000 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 Nu mb er sk ins . reticulatus . curtis . sebae 10 Improving International Systems Trade Reptile Skins based Sustainable existent. Indonesia, national quotas regulate harvests exports, active reptile skin association (IRATA), species-specific data . 114. future – “ ” 4.1 multi-stakeholder forum strong industry involvement industry examine options improving collaboration stakeholders sourcing, starting point identify series common issues priorities. sustainable sourcing reptile skins ( snakes lizards) involves complex issues, type organization address holistic effective industry, inputs stakeholders, remains unclear. Public pressure scrutiny increases risks individual stakeholders committing actions isolation broader industry perspective -reasoned based fact. joint collaborative effort needed companies involve governments, researchers NGOs. maximize resources, avoid duplication create conduit industry participate effectively national international policy discussions impact future. , crocodilians, Crocodile Specialist Group (CSG) forum broad range industry stakeholders, farmers, tanners manufacturers, discuss issues broader range stakeholders expertise conservation, management, endangered species legislation, animal production, science veterinary services. serves conservation , good strategy eyes stakeholder, based narrow context operate, scrutinized discussed stakeholders expert knowledge wider range variables. equivalent group, wide representation, operates major snake lizard species trade. global reptile skin industry proved highly adaptable changing paradigms conservation, animal welfare animal rights time, tended reactive proactive. social context, reptile skin industry exists, levels, changing continually. sound reasons industry forum platform changing context discussed understood. 4.2 Legal illegal trade CITES CITES requires skins trade acquired legally country export, means compliance local, state national laws prior export. discussed , CITES export permits designed constitute certification country export, skins legal, source code accurately reflects production system skin derived (.. = ranching; = wild harvest, = captive breeding), number animals harvested detrimental impact status source population. variety reasons (lack capacity, complications source codes skins multiple sources batched exported, ignorance CITES procedures, gratuity rogue permitting) CITES export permits inaccurate, accident deliberately . CITES Standing Committee recommend export bans state continually issues fraudulent CITES export permits. Industry seldom held responsible importing skins “legal” CITES export permits misrepresent origin skins, aware happening. worst situation CITES perspective arguably wild skins, illegally country ( imported illegally country), laundered legal farms claim skins produced 4. THE FUTURE – “WHERE WE GO FROM HERE” Recommendation 1 Options examined creation multi-stakeholder platform industry actors, broader representation stakeholders - sist industry education, promotion problem-solving. Recommendation 2 effective cooperation industry national CITES management authorities promoted ensure key suppliers aware consequences involving industry illegal trade fraudulent CITES - port permits. 12 Improving International Systems Trade Reptile Skins based Sustainable legal ranching captive breeding programmes. Importantly, issuing spurious CITES permits: • Undermines CITES legal framework international trade wildlife generally. • Undermines certification role CITES export permits designed play, encouraging -party organizations market alternative certification systems, great cost. • Potentially encourages illegal trade laundering skins countries issue CITES export permits convenience. • Penalizes countries abide CITES protocols. • Potentially distorts market values basis source code manipulation. • Misleads consumer. • Opens avenues reputable companies rightly accused involvement illegal trade. • case wild skins exported captive bred skins, releases exporting country obligation manage wild resource demonstrate detrimental impact. 4.3 Certification faced claims impropriety supply chains, corporations -party certification systems ensure corporate image tarnished. regard reptile skin trade key issues: certification legal origin skins; certification systems processes production. CITES designed certification system skin legally obtained, survival wild population detrimentally affected providing . CITES certification extend social costs benefits provision. , CITES certification role major advantages -party certification systems. CITES system -grounded national international law, 175 countries. investment needed create equivalent certification system, reptile skin industry, global scale, enormous. : • CITES-listed species, cost-effective improving certification improve compliance CITES. • reptile species skin trade listed CITES: • abundant trade minor certification required, case established ( research). • merit listing CITES status declining due trade ( confirmed research) / “--” problems. • case significant commercial species reptile skin trade treated equally CITES, occurs crocodilians ( species appendices CITES). regulatory advantages industry. • nations opportunity independent -party verification systems verify national production stage CITES export permits issued. 4.4 dilemma captive breeding CITES drafted (1973), realized production wildlife species captive breeding farms provide incentive conserve manage wild populations species, local people potentially benefit sustainable species wild. , production captive breeding pursued Recommendation 3 industry decides certification warranted, investigate strengths weakness enhancing certification role CITES cost-effective providing consumers - fidence skins product manufacture obtained legally. Recommendation 4 information merits sourcing python skins captive breeding wild har- vest ranching needed. Information analysis commissioned analyse conserva- tion social economic impacts captive breeding relative wild caught production systems. companies seeking focus imports python skins source code “” CITES export permits undermining - stantially conservation final product selling. 134. future – “ ” range states altogether. reptile industry prefer skins captive breeding preference wild (CITES export permits source code “” source code “”) easier explain naive consumer : “ skins farmed animals wild”. undermine conservation. workshop (CSG, 2011) global status Crocodylus siamensis confirmed depletion wild populations, partly provide stock farms. wild . siamensis population thought thousand individuals (essentially extinct Thailand Viet Nam), population farms 1.2 million individuals (Jelden al. 2005, 2008; CSG unpublished). 4.5 Improving compliance CITES certification system, CITES ways compromised inability regulate trade species listed CITES equivalent levels accuracy precision. part reflects lack attention implementation problems parties CITES agree list species appendices. turn partly due industry assessing issues prior parties evaluating , making industry perspective (based trade experience) integral part knowledge base parties . practical problem CITES time CITES Secretariat, Standing Committee Animals Committee decisive action evidence compliance problems emerge ( reflects limited resources CITES). difficulties, expected bold system control regulation global scale CITES, involving regulation tens thousands species level resolution part specimen trade, significant success stories. reptile skin industry, crocodilians generally regarded species group CITES works . appreciating reservations fashion industry linking products closely issues conservation, detract fashion values , advantages industry supporting individuals organizations promoting conservation values wildlife products trade. 4.6 Increasing concerns animal welfare Animal welfare reducing unnecessary pain suffering specific human-animal interactions. context specific. animal welfare codes practice, aimed putting boundaries animal welfare, derived tailored specific forms interaction. codes require scientific research physiological basis pain suffering. public naive scientific basis animal welfare, important industry position defend policies programmes basis science. times challenging, campaigns animals involve fabrication (.. http://www.furcommission./news/newsC7.htm). 4.7 Identification difficulties Identification snake species, skins products skins, difficult average customs officer undertake borders. illegal trade place problems identification overcome. Recommendation 6 Industry informed animal welfare issues supply chains adopt policies standards based science . Recommendation 5 Industry benefits - actively engaged CITES, improve regulation compliance, regard lizards snakes, understand benefits flow trade Recommendation 7 Industry unique position check existing identification guidelines snakes lizards, required, develop cooperation CITES effective mechanisms customs officers confident species identifications. 14 Improving International Systems Trade Reptile Skins based Sustainable Industry play role reducing difficulties contribute capacity building customs officials , , creating catalogue mains skins exported imported countries. 4.8 Understanding supply chains Supply chains integral part reptile skin industry, inherently complex (Figure 3) poorly understood public. reality, rarely linear stable, shown Figure 3, typically highly dynamic. Commercial competition means links change continually result changing pressures circumstances, regularly involve supply chains stakeholders. Appendix- listed species, CITES breaks supply chain wild harvested species point export import (Figure 4). Appendix-II listed species, situation . party trade Appendix-II species, invest resources research, management monitoring, order comply CITES protocols issuing CITES export permit, establishing -detrimental impact (Figure 5). Industry beneficiaries increased investment industry investing conservation management grassroots level. Appendix II requires exporting parties accept responsibility sustainable species exported. responsibility greatly increased (larger links), invest management resource previously. . reptile skin industry, individuals making high- snake skin products people, skills, hunting skinning snakes supply skins. , meet . Hunters produce skins sizes, species quality, role middlemen, levels, source, batch -add collect. manufacturer obtain pieces leather, meeting exact specifications (species, size, imperfections, finished leather quality, colour, .) produce retail products consumers buy. consumers countries expect retailer responsible integrity complete supply chain phenomenon, based idealism practical reality. Recommendation 8 expectation high- fashion manufactur- ers control entire supply chain unrealistic. companies ignore dynam- ics supply chains, answer informed uninformed criticism invite criticism – unfounded . Industry ensure sound working knowledge primary supply chains ( “nature market” “marsh market”). Figure 3. Hypothetical linear supply chain linking supply demand wildlife products international trade (trade legal illegal, bypass separate links chain) 154. future – “ ” Figure 4. CITES Appendix- listing bans international trade deemed causing wildlife extinction Figure 5. Increased responsibility supply chain Appendix-II listed species 16 Improving International Systems Trade Reptile Skins based Sustainable coarse level resolution, ensuring skins legitimate CITES certificates production facilities meet standards production compromise animal welfare expectations. , skins village level hunters remote parts country, difficult establish exert control process undertaken. public turns expectations supply chain, luxury fashion houses easily recognized. provide assurances required, arguably informed supply chain question potential strengths weaknesses. 4.9 Education communication increasing public expectation wild reptile populations threatened extinction result utilization trade reptile skins. means, essence, concept conservation sustainable continue major factor underpinning responsible reptile skins trade. industry , education wildlife conservation costs benefits (biological, social, economic) obtained sustainable needed, require knowledge-based tools tailored audience – shareholders, producers, staff levels, retailers customers. industry audience informed conservation status species industry, practices sustainable reptile species, regulatory environment needed ensure legal sustainable trade. broader level, people organizations, urban environments, view conservation simplistic issue ( kill animals), difficulty accepting concept -detrimental impact, conservation benefits generated wildlife. “game management” “fisheries management” long commitment sustainable harvesting, goal keeping harvest indefinitely (sustaining ). harvest sustained resource conserved, sustainable resource synonymous conservation. public large understand linkages social, biological economic variables drive conservation. Local people, living poverty, invest wildlife conservation benefits . ability sell animals, derived sustainable , create incentives local people willingly conserve wildlife . incentive- driven-conservation. crocodile harvest programmes Papua Guinea, ranching programmes crocodiles Northern Territory Australia, American alligators Louisiana, Argentina’ programme yellow anacondas brown caimans, Bolivian programme Caiman yacare, successfully link reptile conservation economic benefits derived sustainable . cases benefits accrue conservation people depend totally ability fashion houses market reptile skin products. linkages understood, responsible reptile skin manufacturers involved socially responsible activity. Recommendation 9 Industry play larger role, organization() educa- tion communication concept sustainable conservation. essen- tially spheres education needed: firstly, stakeholders - dustry, industry - sponsible; , broader public, organizations involved educa- tion benefit industry assistance guidance. 17References REFERENCES Caldwell (2010). World Trade Crocodilian Skins 2006–2008. UNEP-WCMC. Cambridge. CSG (2011). Proceedings CSG Regional Species Meeting. Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand (4–6 April 2011). Crocodile Specialist Group. Darwin. Fitzgerald (1989). International Wildlife Trade: Business WWF. Washington DC. Hutton JM, Ross JP Webb GJW (2002). market create incentives conservation crocodilians: review. : Crocodiles. Proceedings 16th Working Meeting IUCN-SSC Crocodile Specialist Group. IUCN: 382–399. Gland. Hutton Webb (2003). Crocodiles: legal trade snaps . Oldfield , ed. Trade Wildlife, Regulation Conservation. Earthscan: 109–120. London. Jelden DC, Manolis , Giam CH, Thomson Lopez (2005). Crocodile Conservation Management Cambodia: Review Recommendations. Summary Report IUCN/SSC Crocodile Specialist Group Review Mission Cambodia. Crocodile Specialist Group. Darwin. Jelden DC, Manolis , Tsubouchi Nguyen Dao, NV (2008). Crocodile Conservation, Management Farming Socialist Republic Viet Nam: Review Recommendations. Crocodile Specialist Group. Darwin. Jenkins RWG, Jelden , Webb GJW Manolis SC eds. (2006). Review Crocodile Ranching Programs. Conducted CITES IUCN/SSC Crocodile Specialist Group. AC22 Inf. 2, www.cites.org/eng//AC/22/ index.shtml Larriera , Piñ Dacey (2008). Conservació, Manejo Uso Sustentable de los Cocodrilos en Cuba. Reporte Recomendaciones del UICN-CSE Grupo de Especialistas en Cocodrilos. Crocodile Specialist Group. Darwin. Larriera , Webb , Velasco , Rodriguez Ortiz (2004). Final Report. Mission Colombia. Crocodile Specialist Group. Darwin. MacGregor (2002). International trade crocodilian skins: review analysis trade industry dynamics market-based conservation. : Crocodiles. Proceedings 16th Working Meeting IUCN/ SSC Crocodile Specialist Group. IUCN. Gland. Scott NJ Siegel RA (1992). management amphibian reptile populations: species priorities methodological theoretical constraints. : McCullough DR Barrett RH, ed. Wildlife 2001: Populations. Elsevier Applied Science: 343–368. London. Shine , Ambariyanto, Harlow PS Mumpuni 1999a. Reticulated pythons Sumatra: biology, harvesting sustainability. Biological Conservation. 87:349–357. Shine , Ambariyanto, Harlow PS Mumpuni 1999b. Ecological attributes commercially-harvested python species northern Sumatra. Journal Herpetology. 33:249–257. Shine , Harlow PS, Keogh JS Boeadi. 1996. Commercial harvesting giant lizards: biology water monitors, Varanus salvator, southern Sumatra. Biological Conservation. 77:125–134. Webb GJW Jenkins RWG (1991). Management Crocodilians Indonesia: Review Recommendations. Australian National Parks Wildlife Service. Webb GJW Jenkins RWG (1991). Management crocodilians Thailand: Review Recommendations. Australian National Parks Wildlife Service. 18 Improving International Systems Trade Reptile Skins based Sustainable Webb GJW, Manolis SC Jenkins (2000). Sustainability Reticulated Python (Python reticulatus) harvests Indonesia: discussion issues. Unpublished report Asian Conservation Sustainable Group. Webb GJW, Vardon MJ Boeadi (1996). assessment harvest levels status species reptile (Varanus salvator, Python reticulatus . curtus) Indonesia. : Kitchner Suyanto , eds. Proceedings 1st Conference Eastern Indonesian-Australian Vertebrates, Western Australia Museum: 75–82. Perth. Webb GJW Vernon (1992). Crocodilian Management People’ Republic China – Review Recommendations. : Crocodile Conservation Action. special publication Crocodile Specialist Group Species Survival Commission IUCN. IUCN: 1–25. Gland.