C. versicolor added to CITES appendix III

[Arachnopets]

Heads up!

It may soon become a LOT harder to get your hands on C. versicolor.

https://cites.org/sites/default/files/notifications/E-Notif-2022-073.pdf

 

[tarantulas118]

Heads up!

It may soon become a LOT harder to get your hands on C. versicolor.

https://cites.org/sites/default/files/notifications/E-Notif-2022-073.pdf

Aw come on

 

[Pmurinushmacla]

Thats international right? The only species I've had trouble getting that were already somewhat avaliable in the hobby until legislation was passed was a p sbubfusca, but that was an interstate ban. Its a blow to the hobby, but I doubt itll make them hard to obtain, at least in the US.

 

[Liquifin]

And I'm stuck with six mature females and no males. Welp, I guess the time has come to start looking for a male.

 

[worldsparadox]

I guess its time I get my hands on one - or finally give up trying lol

 

[tarantulas118]

Wait what is this CITES thing and what does it do?

 

[LucN]

Hmm... Which means their trade will be heavily regulated... or will it cease completely after a while ? More and more species are slowly but surely being added to CITES. I would not have thought that C. versicolor is now considered endangered. A bummer for sure.

 

[l4nsky]

Don't start panic buying yet. This is a notice for an Appendix III listing. From CITES' website:

Appendix III is a list of species included at the request of a Party that already regulates trade in the species and that needs the cooperation of other countries to prevent unsustainable or illegal exploitation (see Article II, paragraph 3, of the Convention). International trade in specimens of species listed in this Appendix is allowed only on presentation of the appropriate permits or certificates. (See Article V of the Convention)

Also, on the same page:

Species may be added to or removed from Appendix I and II, or moved between them, only by the Conference of the Parties, either at its regular meetings or by postal procedures (see Article XV of the Convention). But species may be added to or removed from Appendix III at any time and by any Party unilaterally (although the Conference of the Parties has recommended that changes be timed to coincide with amendments to Appendices I and II).

From my understanding, the inclusion of C. versicolor to Appendix III is basically one or more countries in CITES that internally regulate the trade of C. versicolor in their borders is asking for the other countries in the agreement to voluntarily regulate their trade. However, this isn't unilaterally agreed on yet, but can be during any subsequent Conference of the Parties (by addition of C. versicolor to CITES I or II). Right now, this addition to Appendix III is neither bad or good for the hobby IMO

To put this into context, ALL Poecilotheria ssp and ALL Brachypelma ssp are listed as CITES Appendix II. From the same site:

Appendix II lists species that are not necessarily now threatened with extinction but that may become so unless trade is closely controlled. It also includes so-called "look-alike species", i.e. species whose specimens in trade look like those of species listed for conservation reasons (see Article II, paragraph 2 of the Convention). International trade in specimens of Appendix-II species may be authorized by the granting of an export permit or re-export certificate. No import permit is necessary for these species under CITES (although a permit is needed in some countries that have taken stricter measures than CITES requires). Permits or certificates should only be granted if the relevant authorities are satisfied that certain conditions are met, above all that trade will not be detrimental to the survival of the species in the wild. (See Article IV of the Convention)

Source: https://cites.org/eng/app/index.php

From what I understand about the subject (and please, someone inform me if I'm wrong) CITES is an international agreement, but it's up to the members of the agreement to enforce it in and between their borders. Now, all Poecilotheria ssp and Brachypelma ssp are listed as CITES Appendix II, but they can be still be imported/exported between countries as long as the countries allow it.

Thats international right? The only species I've had trouble getting that were already somewhat avaliable in the hobby until legislation was passed was a p sbubfusca, but that was an interstate ban. Its a blow to the hobby, but I doubt itll make them hard to obtain, at least in the US.

Inclusion onto the Endangered Species Act in the US is both an interstate and import/export ban without the appropriate permits. AFAIK, it's still possible to import the non-ESA species of Poecilotheria when properly declared.

For example, Brachypelma ssp are also listed as CITES Appendix II, but they can still be exported/imported from Mexico into the US with the appropriate paperwork. Since they're not on the ESA, they can still be bought and sold across state lines as well.

 

[Pmurinushmacla]

Don't start panic buying yet. This is a notice for an Appendix III listing. From CITES' website:


Also, on the same page:


From my understanding, the inclusion of C. versicolor to Appendix III is basically one or more countries in CITES that internally regulate the trade of C. versicolor in their borders is asking for the other countries in the agreement to voluntarily regulate their trade. However, this isn't unilaterally agreed on yet, but can be during any subsequent Conference of the Parties (by addition of C. versicolor to CITES I or II). Right now, this addition to Appendix III is neither bad or good for the hobby IMO

To put this into context, ALL Poecilotheria ssp and ALL Brachypelma ssp are listed as CITES Appendix II. From the same site:

Source: https://cites.org/eng/app/index.php

From what I understand about the subject (and please, someone inform me if I'm wrong) CITES is an international agreement, but it's up to the members of the agreement to enforce it in and between their borders. Now, all Poecilotheria ssp and Brachypelma ssp are listed as CITES Appendix II, but they can be still be imported/exported between countries as long as the countries allow it.


Inclusion onto the Endangered Species Act in the US is both an interstate and import/export ban without the appropriate permits. AFAIK, it's still possible to import the non-ESA species of Poecilotheria when properly declared.

For example, Brachypelma ssp are also listed as CITES Appendix II, but they can still be exported/imported from Mexico into the US with the appropriate paperwork. Since they're not on the ESA, they can still be bought and sold across state lines as well.

Ohk. Until they get put on esa im not worried about it

 

[LucN]

Kind of a stupid question, but what does ESA stand for ? And why some sp. of Poecs are more difficult to acquire than others ? Why don't they all have the same treatment, so to speak ?

 

[Manny]

It’s astounding to me how many people will ask questions and wait for a reply, rather than using google. You don’t have to be a T expert to figure some of this stuff out.

 

[AlbaArachnids92]

what does ESA stand for ?

ESA = Endangered Species Act

I'm not familiar enough to answer your second question for sure but I'd imagine a couple of things such as the endangered status of each species and the countries in which they are found.

 

[LucN]

It’s astounding to me how many people will ask questions and wait for a reply, rather than using google. You don’t have to be a T expert to figure some of this stuff out.

Yes, I could have looked it up. But honestly, there was no way to actually guess that acronym. Thanks to @AlbaArachnids92 for answering. I should have thought it would've been something along those lines. Makes sense in context.

 

[l4nsky]

Kind of a stupid question, but what does ESA stand for ? And why some sp. of Poecs are more difficult to acquire than others ? Why don't they all have the same treatment, so to speak ?

Both questions were answered in my original post. ESA is the Endangered Species Act, a US law that effects the importation, exportation, and interstate trade in the species defined as Endangered by US Fish and Wildlife.

CITES isn't an international enforcement agency, it's an international agreement between countries. It's up to the individual countries for enforcement, so some countries will allow the sale and trade of CITES II animals with the proper paperwork, some won't, and some will impose additional restrictions (for example, Sri Lankan Poecilotheria sp in the US have additional restrictions on top of CITES thanks to the ESA, a US law).

 

[LucN]

@l4nsky

I totally missed both answers in your post. That's what happens when you read in a hurry. My bad.

At least Mexico has developed a specific breeding program that not only caters a good number of its production to the hobby, but also reintroduces some slings into the wild. Makes me wonder if India and Sri Lanka are doing something similar with their native Poecilotheria.

 

[viper69]

I have 2 females- I’m good

 

[l4nsky]

@l4nsky

I totally missed both answers in your post. That's what happens when you read in a hurry. My bad.

At least Mexico has developed a specific breeding program that not only caters a good number of its production to the hobby, but also reintroduces some slings into the wild. Makes me wonder if India and Sri Lanka are doing something similar with their native Poecilotheria.

All good, we've all done it.

The Sri Lankan situation is grim at best. I don't foresee a stable government or even an economy there for a decade or so since the demise of the Rajapaksa family and the ruin they left. I just hope the country hasn't been completely deforested like Easter Island before that point and there are still populations for someone to work with like in Mexico.