CITES Animal Committee

This expert committee was established to fill  knowledge gaps concerning animal species, which are included in CITES trade controls or which might become part of CITES. The role of the Animal Committee is to:

• provide scientific advice and guidance to the CoP, other committees, working groups and the Secretariat;
• deal with nomenclatural issues;
• conduct periodic species reviews to ensure appropriate CITES classification;
• advise in situations of unsustainable species trade and to recommend remedial action and
• draft resolutions on animal matters for consideration by the CoP.

Members of the Animals Committee are individuals from the six major geographical regions (Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, Central and South America, the Caribbean and Oceania) and one specialist on nomenclature. The committee meets twice between the CoP meetings and reports to the CoP if requested, providing advice to the Standing Committee.