Wildlife Conservation

As introduced by the Yearbook of the Republic of China:

Wildlife Conservation Efforts

Over the past decade, the ROC government and private environmental groups in Taiwan have been acting to stop international traffic in outlawed wildlife products. Beginning with the promulgation of the Wildlife Conservation Law in 1989 and continuing through 1995 with the formation of an inter-ministerial task force for the investigation and supervision of wildlife conservation to crack down on the smuggling of wildlife products, Taiwan has repeatedly demonstrated its commitment to domestic conservation and support for global wildlife protection efforts. However, some well-intentioned environmental groups feel that Taiwan's conservation efforts have come "too little, too late."

Criticism of Taiwan's conservation record came to a head on March 25, 1994, when the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) concluded at its standing committee meeting in Geneva that Taiwan's proposed actions "toward meeting minimum requirements have not yet been [carried out]." Following the decision by CITES, the United States invoked the Pelly Amendment to impose trade sanctions on Taiwan in April 1994, and went on to announce a ban on imports of wildlife and wildlife products from Taiwan, effective August 19, 1994. To avert international trade sanctions, the ROC legislature pushed through amendments to the Wildlife Conservation Law and toughened penalties against violators. The government also made an even greater and more visible effort to abide by international agreements to halt the trafficking of endangered species and illegal wildlife products.

Council of Agriculture

As opposed to the Environmental Protection Administration (EPA), which is in charge of environmental protection, the Executive Yuan's Council of Agriculture (COA) is the highest government agency responsible for enforcing Taiwan's conservation laws, devising the nation's conservation policies, and overseeing implementation. The COA spent approximately US$9.09 million of its budget on wildlife conservation in fiscal 1996, and has allocated US$8.55 million for fiscal 1997. A Wildlife Conservation Investigation and Supervisory Force was set up in September1993 to coordinate conservation activities at various national and local government agencies, boost conservation awareness, train conservation personnel,and strengthen crackdowns on illicit traffic in wildlife products. The task force is composed of vice ministerial officials from selected government ministries and convened by the chairman of the COA. Currently, the taskforce meets regularly to coordinate a three-year government work plan to strengthen wildlife conservation. The government has allocated US$38.5 million to ensure the success of the program, which it launched in 1995.

Achievements

Taiwan has enacted legislation which, as closely as possible, complies with CITES requirements. Close contact is maintained with officials at CITES, the Worldwide Fund for Nature, the Trade Records Analysis of Flora and Fauna in Commerce, the World Conservation Union, and numerous other international conservation groups. As a result, Taiwan has won recognition for its efforts and progress in policing illicit trade in wildlife and wildlife products over the past three years. On June 30, 1995, the United States lifted its trade sanctions on Taiwan. A little over a year later, on September 11, 1996, Taiwan's achievements were further confirmed when the US announced that Taiwan was being removed entirely from the Pelly Amendment's "watch list." The United States cited the ROC government's comprehensive efforts and cooperation with international endeavors as being behind the decision.