LATF participates at the CITES Ivory and Rhinoceros Enforcement Task Force meeting
The Lusaka Agreement Task Force participated at the CITES Ivory and Rhinoceros Enforcement Task Force meeting that was held from 17th to 19th May 2011 in Nairobi. The meeting was convened by CITES Secretariat to provide a forum to exchange intelligence regarding smuggling of ivory and rhinoceros specimens and develop strategies for combating illegal trade. It was attended by 22 participants from Parties in Africa and Asia that are currently most affected by the smuggling of ivory and rhinoceros specimens including; China, Ethiopia, Kenya, Mozambique, Nepal, Philippine, South Africa, Thailand, Tanzania, Vietnam and Zimbabwe. Also in attendance were UK-NWCU, LATF, INTERPOL, CITES and UNODC.
The participants at the meeting noted and agreed that greater communication, collaboration and coordination is needed at national and international levels to increase exchange of information. The meeting also recommended that enforcement agencies should consider whenever possible to delay releasing news of significant seizures until the information has been forwarded to relevant counterpart in countries of origin and destination and to international enforcement bodies. This will enable action to be taken against those along the chain of criminal activity.