http://www.animalhealth.defra.gov.uk/CITES Latest news from CITES en-us http://animalhealth.defra.gov.uk/cites/news/Contacting-WLRS.htm Due to staff changes we are currently very busy with CITES applications. Fri, 03 Feb 2012 10:53:00 http://animalhealth.defra.gov.uk/cites/news/120131-cites-antiques-derogation.htm The “50 year” date applied to “worked specimens” of CITES listed species has now changed – from 1 June 1947 as previously used, to 3 March 1947. Tue, 31 Jan 2012 16:00:00 http://animalhealth.defra.gov.uk/cites/news/120113-Wild-disabled-bird-A10-Applications.htm On 25 Feb 2011 we published a news item about our change in policy for wild disabled birds Fri, 13 Jan 2012 12:00:00 http://animalhealth.defra.gov.uk/news/20120112-importing-live-birds.asp Restrictions imposed to prevent the spread of avian influenza mean that birds other than poultry, i.e. live wild-caught birds and captive bred birds (unless from an approved breeding facility), may only be imported if they are personal pets or if the import is for conservation purposes (EC Regulation 318/2007). Thu, 12 Jan 2012 12:00:00 The Wildlife Licensing and Registration Service will be operating a severely reduced level of service between Friday 23 December and Monday 2 January inclusive. Someone will be available to answer any queries or take a message but it will not be possible to progress any applications during this time. Normal service will resume on Tuesday 3 January. Thu, 22 Dec 2011 13:00:00 http://animalhealth.defra.gov.uk/news/20111222-registration-of-birds.asp Previously we have published guidance on the treatment of hybrids, indicating that we treat them in the same way for registration purposes as we do for CITES purposes. Thu, 22 Dec 2011 13:00:00 http://animalhealth.defra.gov.uk/news/111205-New-appointments-to-the-Secretary-of-States-List-of-Zoo-Inspectors-in-England.htm New appointments to the Secretary of State’s List of Zoo Inspectors in England Mon, 05 Dec 2011 13:00:00 http://www.animalhealth.defra.gov.uk/news/archived-news/180211-new-rules-rhino-horns-in-the-UK.htm New European Commission guidance implemented by Animal Health’s Wildlife Licensing and Registration Service (WLRS) has made it illegal to sell mounted, but otherwise unaltered, Mon, 15 Aug 2011 13:44:00 http://www.animalhealth.defra.gov.uk/CITES/news/110802-hybirds.htm We have been asked to clarify how hybrid animals that have a CITES listed species in their recent lineage, are treated under the provisions of the EC Wildlife Trade Regulations. Tue, 02 Aug 2011 14:00:00 http://www.animalhealth.defra.gov.uk/CITES/news/112623-schedule4-birds-kept-in-captivity.htm Keeping: The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 allows a disabled bird to be taken from the wild for the sole purposes of tending it and then, once recovered, releasing it back into the wild Thu, 23 Jun 2011 14:00:00 http://www.animalhealth.defra.gov.uk/about/formsandfees/formdisplay.asp?ref=WLRS175 A new application form is now available (link above) to register Schedule 4 birds. This allows applicants to apply for an Article 10 certificate and register a bird at the same time and saves having to provide the same information twice. The application form can be used to register birds which have been imported, transferred or hatched. Mon, 11 Apr 2011 13:15:00 http://www.animalhealth.defra.gov.uk/CITES/news/archived-news/240211-change-in-procedure-for-wild-disabled.htm We have had concerns for some time with the number of wild Schedule 4 birds that are registered for rehabilitation and subsequently end up permanently kept in captivity. Fri, 25 Feb 2011 10:45:00 http://www.animalhealth.defra.gov.uk/news/archived-news/180211-new-rules-rhino-horns-in-the-UK.htm New European Commission guidance implemented by Animal Health’s Wildlife Licensing and Registration Service (WLRS) has made it illegal to sell mounted, but otherwise unaltered, Fri, 18 Feb 2011 10:00:00 http://www.animalhealth.defra.gov.uk/CITES/news/archived_news/190111-end-of-pre-issued-a10s.htm From 19 January 2011 WLRS will no longer be issuing pre-issued Article 10 Certificates (also known as semi-completes). This is due to increasing evidence of non-compliance associated with these certificates. Tue, 25 Jan 2011 14:34 GMT http://www.animalhealth.defra.gov.uk/CITES/news/archived_news/221210-ban-on-trade-in-eels.htm On 3 December the EU established a zero export quota for the trade European Eels(Anguilla anguilla) until the end of 2011. Wed, 22 Dec 2010 14:50:00 GMT http://www.animalhealth.defra.gov.uk/CITES/news/archived_news/091210-bacs-applications.html WLRS now accepts payment by credit card for CITES and Bird Registration applications. Thu, 09 Dec 2010 12:00:00 GMT http://www.animalhealth.defra.gov.uk/CITES/news/archived_news/021210-disruption-to-service.htm Major office moves are taking place across the Temple Quay House, Bristol, site on Friday 3 December and Friday 17 December. Thu, 02 Dec 2010 17:00:00 GMT http://www.animalhealth.defra.gov.uk/CITES/news/archived_news/300910-advice-to-agents.htm If you are making an application on behalf of a person or organisation residing in the UK, you must complete the form with the full name and address of the actual (re-)exporter/ importer or holder in box 1 or 3, and not your own. Thu, 30 Sep 2010 12:00:00 GMT http://www.animalhealth.defra.gov.uk/CITES/news/archived_news/200910-Prevent-Export-of-Rhino-Horn-from-UK.htm Animal Health will refuse nearly all future applications for the export of rhinoceros horn after the agency detected a worrying increase in the number of horn products being sold through UK auction houses. Mon, 20 Sep 2010 12:00:00 GMT http://www.animalhealth.defra.gov.uk/CITES/news/archived_news/220910-tsc-returns.htm If you pass a specimen to another person you must return the transaction specific certificate to us as soon as the specimen leaves your possession Mon, 20 Sep 2010 10:30:00 GMT http://www.animalhealth.defra.gov.uk/CITES/news/archived_news/220910-new-service-introduction.htm A new service acknowledging receipt of applications is being introduced on 1st October 2010, with the aim of reassuring customers that we will be working on their applications even if we don’t get in touch before we issue their documents. Wed, 22 Sep 2010 10:30:00 GMT http://www.animalhealth.defra.gov.uk/CITES/news/archived_news/120810-newspeciesregulation.htm New Annexes to the EC CITES Regulations were published on 12 August. The new Annexes implement in the EU all the changes and species listings agreed at the last CITES Conference (CoP15), the main ones of which were outlined in our previous News Item, “CoP15 Outcomes”. Thu, 12 Aug 2010 12:00:00 GMT http://www.animalhealth.defra.gov.uk/CITES/news/archived_news/280710-rhino_horn.htm No rhino horn may be offered for sale in the UK without prior approval from the UK CITES Management Authority. This includes antique items. Wed, 28 Jul 2010 11:15:00 GMT http://www.animalhealth.defra.gov.uk/CITES/news/archived_news/230710-marking-methods.htm Defra recently let a research contract with their Scientific Advisers, JNCC, to look into possible methods of identifying small/juvenile Annex A specimens of tortoises, reptiles, etc. Wed, 23 Jul 2010 11:15:00 GMT http://www.animalhealth.defra.gov.uk/CITES/news/archived_news/100625cites-CoP15-outcomes.htm A previous News Item advised breeders and keepers of Bengal Eagle Owls (Bubo bubo Bengalensis) of the need to apply for Article 10 certificates for these specimens if they were being used commercially Fri, 25 Jun 2010 10:00:00 GMT http://www.animalhealth.defra.gov.uk/CITES/news/archived_news/220610-euphorbia.htm From 23 June 2010 (the date when decisions agreed at CITES CoP15 came into force) until new EU Annexes take effect exempting finished products of Euphorbia antisyphilitica from CITES controls Tue, 22 Jun 2010 12:00:00 GMT http://www.animalhealth.defra.gov.uk/CITES/news/archived_news/150610-kaisernewts.htm The Kaiser newt (Neurergus kaiseri) will be listed on CITES I (Annex A) with effect from 26 June 2010, and after that date any commercial use will have to be covered by an Article 10 certificate Tue, 15 Jun 2010 12:00:00 GMT