DSR 11C (Revised 5/87)
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5. Several African countries, notably Botswana and
Zimbabwe, have opposed CITES Appendix I listing for the
African elephant. These countries have a surplus of
elephants and organise culls on environmental grounds.
The ivory resulting from these culls is traded legally
and represents a useful form of income for the countries
concerned. This trade, which they claim has significant
local economic and conservation benefits, would disappear
(or go underground).
In Confidence
6. At a recent meeting of the African Elephant Working
Group in Gaberone, there was no
no agreement on a draft for the Cctober meeting a CITES Parties, resolution/upgrading the African elephant to CITES
Appendix I at the October Conference.
I.
As a result,
Cameroon was asked to take the views of the various range
states to try to establish a consensus which would form
the basis of a resolution to the October CITES
Conference.
Cameroon was given until 31 August 1989 to
achieve this. The EC ban is an interim measure only
designed to cover the period before the October CITES
Conference. Without taking a decision on the merits of
the arguments put forward by the southern African states
there seems to be no grounds at this juncture for the UK
to the draff EZ regulation
to seek exceptions/, on their behalf, whilst Cameroon is
attempting to resolve the differing opinions exposed at
the Gaberone meeting.