8 June 2015: The International Air Transport Association (IATA) and the Secretariat of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with regard to cooperation on the reduction of illegal trade in wildlife and wildlife products.

The two organizations will also ensure that legally traded wildlife is transported safely and that standards and best practices such as the IATA Live Animals Regulations, the IATA Perishable Cargo Regulations and the CITES Guidelines for the Non-Air Transport of Live Wild Animals and Plants are implemented.

Tony Tyler, Director General, IATA, remarked that this MoU will help the industry play a role in stopping illegal trade in wildlife. John Scanlon, Secretary-General, CITES, emphasized that enforcement agencies cannot operate in isolation and this MoU is an opportunity for the transport sector to make a critical contribution to the provision of intelligence. [IATA Press Release] [CITES News] [CITES Secretary-General’s remarks at the 71st IATA Annual General Meeting and World Air Transport Summit]