Wildlife trade bans can increase trading

Banning the commercial trade in specimens of endangered species of wildlife can perversely increase trading, argue a group of conservation scientists from Paris and University of Kent in this week's Nature. Writing in the run-up to next month's Conference of the Parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), the researchers provide evidence that when CITES plans to uplist a species to a more restrictive appendix that bans trade, this can lead to an increase in legal trade. Therefore, once the ban is in place, this may drive illegal trade underground.

The researchers suggest instead that more proactive, swift and flexible species management is in the interests of both traders and conservationists.

‘Uplisting is associated with a spike in trade volumes,’ say Philippe Rivalan and his co-authors from Paris and from Kent’s Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology (DICE). A ban generally takes effect 240 to 420 days after submission of a proposal, leaving a year for traders to acquire specimens or clear stocks.

The new analysis shows that legal volumes of imports can increase during this transition period, although further field work is needed to assess how such spikes might affect the harvested populations of different species. Concerns were first raised in 1985 that uplisting could make species more commercially valuable. Until now there had been no wide-ranging analysis to support this idea. ‘At the very least, our findings suggest that CITES authorities will need to use extra vigilance in controlling permits during transition periods and in adhering to quotas’, comment Rivalan and his co-authors.

‘Some proactive measures that CITES is considering were discussed by the CITES Secretary General at the DICE Annual Lecture in February 2007. These include ensuring that local livelihoods are not affected by restrictive listing, and using CITES permits as a form of certification,’ adds Dr Alison Rosser and Professor Nigel Leader-Williams of DICE.

Fairtrade Congratulate University of Kent for it's Continued Support

The Fairtrade Organisation has congratulated the University of Kent for its continued support and success in raising awareness and sales of Fairtrade products.

The University and Kent Union were awarded Fairtrade status in February 2006. Since then, an expanded range of Fairtrade products has become available in all campus shops and Fairtrade produce is used in all campus cafes, restaurants and bars. The University and Kent Union also use Fairtrade products for conferences, college events and receptions.

Dave Reason, Master of Keynes College on the University’s Canterbury campus and Chairman of the University of Kent Fairtrade Steering Group said: ‘We are delighted that the hard work, enthusiasm and commitment of Fairtrade supporters, both students and staff, have been recognised in such glowing terms by the Fairtrade organisation.’

Dave Reason also emphasised that buying Fairtrade products (easily identified by their Fairtrade logo) gives the consumer a guarantee that she or he is helping to sustain workers, their communities and the environment. ‘And given the alternative outlook for all three,’ he said, ‘sustainability is not an option – it is a necessity. Buying Fairtrade produce makes a significant contribution to the lives of people now and in the future. We urge everyone to buy wisely and to buy Fairtrade with pride.’

The University’s Fairtrade status has been renewed until 2008.

Puccini, Pearl Fishers and all the Prom favourites!

The University of Kent will present its ever-popular Opera Gala Prom on Saturday 2 June, as part of the ArtsFest on the Canterbury campus. The concert takes place in Eliot College Hall at 8pm and will feature operatic lollipops and all the prom favourites, performed by the University's Chorus and Orchestra, conducted by Director of Music, Susan Wanless. They will be joined by two soloists, tenor Bradley Daley and baritone Peter Cox. The programme will include the famous duet from The Pearl Fishers, Puccini's Nessun dorma and Borodin's Polovtsian Dances, and will conclude with rousing renditions of Jerusalem and Land of Hope and Glory - complete with balloons! The audience will then be treated to a spectacular firework display overlooking the Cathedral.

Tickets £10 (adults), £6 (students and children) are available from: Canterbury Bookings Box Office, 12/13 Sun Street, The Buttermarket, Canterbury, Tel. 01227 378188; and the University Music Office, Eliot College, Tel. 01227 827335 (credit/debit card payment available).

If you would like further information about any music events or activities at the University contact Susan Wanless, Director of Music, on 01227 823305, S.J.Wanless@kent.ac.uk.