Wildlife trade regulator CITES lifts sanctions against Laos, prompting conservation concerns
CHIANG MAI, Thailand — Global wildlife trade regulator CITES has lifted trade sanctions against Laos, opening the door for the Southeast Asian nation to resume trade of long-tailed macaques and other species. Some conservationists called the move “premature,” arguing that Laos must do more to curb the illegal wildlife trade, which is estimated to be worth […]
On November 4, 2023, CITES, the global wildlife trade regulator, removed trade sanctions from Laos, allowing the country to resume the trade of long-tailed macaques and other species. However, conservationists have raised concerns about the decision, citing the need for Laos to take further action to combat the illegal wildlife trade, which is believed to be a multi-billion dollar industry worldwide.
In 2023, Laos was sanctioned for its inability to control criminal networks dealing in illegal wildlife products, as well as its failure to regulate bear bile farming and tiger farms. The Standing Committee of CITES stated that Laos had made "significant progress" in addressing these issues in a meeting held in Geneva on the same day.
Despite being granted permission to trade in CITES-listed animals without special restrictions, Laos' status will remain under review, with ongoing monitoring determining its continued ability to export species listed under the convention.
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