CITES Commission Netherlands

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The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, CITES, provides rules for international trade in endangered animal and plant species to prevent that species become endangered or even extinct as a result of the international trade. For the import and export of protected species licenses are required, and also for internal trade in certain species in the Netherlands. At this time, 158 countries take part in the convention.

The Netherlands Scientific Authority for CITES, known as the CITES Commission is made up of experts in the fields of various animal and plant groups with experience in environmental protection. The secretariat of the Commission is located in the National Museum of Natural History and co-operates closely with the experts of the museum, of which one is a member of the Commission. The CITES Commission gives scientific advice to the Minister of Agriculture, Nature Management, and Fisheries, who is responsible for the administrative implementation of the treaty in The Netherlands. The Ministry, as CITES Management Authority, issues import and export permits for endangered animal and plant species. The scientific advice involves e.g. the population status of endangered species and measures necessary to effectively implement the treaty. The CITES Commission also advises the European Commission and the CITES committees.

More information

CITES main website

Endangered species

European regulations

Permits