Franck Monthe joins ATIBT to lead the CITES task force

Photo : Franck Monthe

Franck brought his technical expertise on genetic aspects in important sub-regional impact projects Beyond Timber and DynAfFor. He also brought his scientific experience, his knowledge of the field, his communication with the sub-regional institutional sector and his understanding of the issues related to sustainable forest management in Central Africa, to carry out the activities of the P3FAC project and the animation of the DYNAFAC Collective. Franck then followed the implementation of the activities of the project to update the vulnerability status of woody species exploited in Central Africa. This update allowed to identify on recent scientific basis, (i) the non-threatened species, whose exploitation can be continued according to the current standards, and (ii) the really threatened species, whose exploitation should be more controlled.

Franck Monthe joined the ATIBT to lead the CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) task force. Species covered by CITES are listed in one of the three Appendices of the Convention according to the degree of protection they need. In November 2022 at the CITES COP in Panama, African species of the genera Afzelia, Khaya and Pterocarpuswere listed in Appendix II of the Convention. While this appendix does not prohibit trade, it does require that a non-detriment finding (NDF) be issued prior to the issuance of any trade authorization (export permit). The NDF is a scientific study that assesses whether trade would have an adverse (or detrimental) effect on the survival of the species concerned. Since February 24, 2023, trade in African species of the three genera must therefore meet this requirement.

The action aims to (i) accompany the private sector and the administrations concerned in the process of developing the NDFs of the new species listed in Appendix II, (ii) update the status of vulnerability of 50 species exploited in Central Africa and produce summary sheets accessible to the general public, (iii) ensure good interaction between the CITES authorities of the exporting countries and those of the importing countries. 

This initiative, implemented by Franck Monthe, will be conducted in part within the framework of the ASP – Green Pact Cameroun project. It will set up and update a FAQ in response to the various concerns of stakeholders in the timber sector in Central Africa.