4.10 Non-Detriment Findings and Sustainable Use

Non-Detriment Findings and Sustainable Use

The CITES Convention came into force before the term sustainable use gained general usage. The view is widely held, however, that the concept of sustainable use is an essential element in the application of non-detriment findings, pursuant to Article III and Article IV, and in the preamble of the Convention.

Sustainable use may be defined as: the use of components of biological diversity in a way and at a rate that does not lead to the long-term decline of biological diversity, thereby maintaining its potential to meet the needs and aspirations of present and future generations.

Indeed, many argue that the application of non-detriment findings requires Parties to

to the principles of sustainable use in their efforts to ensure that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival.

Researchers involved in CITES-related work, for example, claim that "a comparison of the CITES non-detriment finding with the definition of sustainable use in the CBD indicates differences in the detail which translate into similarities in intent" (Rosser & Harrop, 2007).