CITES — the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species — is the international treaty that regulates the trade in wildlife. For parrot buyers in the UK, it is one of the most important things to understand.
CITES stands for the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. It is an international agreement between governments that aims to ensure that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival. Over 180 countries are CITES signatories, including the UK, Spain, and Ireland.
CITES works by categorising species into three Appendices:
When you buy a CITES-listed parrot, you must receive appropriate documentation proving the bird was legally bred in captivity and traded in accordance with CITES requirements. This protects both the buyer and the wild population of the species.
Yes. CITES applies to all individuals of listed species, including captive-bred ones. The documentation system distinguishes between wild-caught (illegal for most Appendix I species) and captive-bred birds using source codes on the CITES certificate.
The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) enforces CITES regulations in the UK under the Control of Trade in Endangered Species (COTES) Regulations 2018.
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