{
  "id": "RL34395",
  "type": "CRS Report",
  "typeId": "REPORTS",
  "number": "RL34395",
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  "source": "EveryCRSReport.com, University of North Texas Libraries Government Documents Department",
  "versions": [
    {
      "source": "EveryCRSReport.com",
      "id": 424359,
      "date": "2013-07-23",
      "retrieved": "2016-04-06T23:20:14.250058",
      "title": "International Illegal Trade in Wildlife: Threats and U.S. Policy",
      "summary": "Global trade in illegal wildlife is a potentially vast illicit economy, estimated to be worth billions of dollars each year. Some of the most lucrative illicit wildlife commodities include elephant ivory, rhino horn, sturgeon caviar, and so-called \u201cbushmeat.\u201d Wildlife smuggling may pose a transnational security threat as well as an environmental one. Numerous sources indicate that some organized criminal syndicates, insurgent groups, and foreign military units may be involved in various aspects of international wildlife trafficking. Limited anecdotal evidence also indicates that some terrorist groups may be engaged in wildlife crimes, particularly poaching, for monetary gain. Some observers claim that the participation of such actors in wildlife trafficking can therefore threaten the stability of countries, foster corruption, and encourage violence to protect the trade. \nReports of escalating exploitation of protected wildlife, coupled with the emerging prominence of highly organized and well-equipped illicit actors in wildlife trafficking, suggests that policy challenges persist. Commonly cited challenges include legal loopholes that allow poachers and traffickers to operate with impunity, gaps in foreign government capabilities to address smuggling problems, and persistent structural drivers such as lack of alternative livelihoods in source countries and consumer demand.\nTo address the illicit trade in endangered wildlife, the international community has established, through the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), a global policy framework to regulate and sometimes ban exports of selected species. Domestic, bilateral, regional, and global efforts are intended to support international goals of sustainable conservation, effective resource management, and enforcement of relevant laws and regulations. \nIncreased recognition of the potential consequences of wildlife trafficking has caused some observers and policymakers to question the efficacy of existing U.S. and international responses and consider new options for addressing the problem. In November 2012, for example, then-Secretary of State Hillary Clinton announced the beginning of a revitalized effort to combat international wildlife trafficking. In July 2013, President Barack Obama issued Executive Order 13648 on Combating Wildlife Trafficking. The Executive Order identified poaching of protected species and the illegal trade in wildlife and their derivative parts and products as an escalating international crisis that is in the national interest of the United States to combat. \nThe U.S. Congress has played a role in responding to these ongoing challenges and evaluating U.S. policy to combat international wildlife trafficking. Over time, Congress has enacted a wide range of laws to authorize conservation programs, appropriate domestic and international funding for wildlife protection and natural resource capacity building, and target and dismantle wildlife trafficking operations. In recent years, Congress has also held hearings and events that have addressed the growing problem of wildlife crimes and raised key questions for next steps. Interest in wildlife crime may continue in the 113th Congress. Congressional activity may include evaluating the seriousness of the threat as a national security issue, as well as raising questions regarding the effectiveness of existing policies, ranging from biodiversity programs to anti-crime activities.",
      "type": "CRS Report",
      "typeId": "REPORTS",
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    },
    {
      "source": "University of North Texas Libraries Government Documents Department",
      "sourceLink": "https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc743517/",
      "id": "RL34395_2009Feb02",
      "date": "2009-02-02",
      "retrieved": "2015-10-20T21:35:54",
      "title": "International Illegal Trade in Wildlife: Threats and U.S. Policy",
      "summary": "This report focuses on the international trade in terrestrial fauna, largely excluding trade in illegal plants, including timber, and fish. Potential issues for Congress include (1) determining funding for trade inspection and investigation; (2) evaluating effectiveness of U.S. foreign aid to combat wildlife trafficking; (3) developing ways to encourage regulation of the wildlife trade; (4) trade sanctions to penalize weak enforcement of wildlife laws; (5) incorporating wildlife trade provisions into free trade agreements; and (6) addressing the domestic and international demand for illegal wildlife.",
      "type": "CRS Report",
      "typeId": "REPORT",
      "active": false,
      "formats": [
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          "filename": "files/20090202_RL34395_e731503588db7d38f3a6db08f827246c459e2fc3.pdf"
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      ],
      "topics": [
        {
          "source": "LIV",
          "id": "Wildlife",
          "name": "Wildlife"
        },
        {
          "source": "LIV",
          "id": "Wildlife conservation",
          "name": "Wildlife conservation"
        },
        {
          "source": "LIV",
          "id": "Protection of animals",
          "name": "Protection of animals"
        },
        {
          "source": "LIV",
          "id": "Protection of wildlife",
          "name": "Protection of wildlife"
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "source": "University of North Texas Libraries Government Documents Department",
      "sourceLink": "https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc462754/",
      "id": "RL34395_2008Aug22",
      "date": "2008-08-22",
      "retrieved": "2014-12-05T09:57:41",
      "title": "International Illegal Trade in Wildlife: Threats and U.S. Policy",
      "summary": "This report focuses on the international trade in terrestrial fauna, largely excluding trade in illegal plants, including timber, and fish, and discusses potential environmental and national security threats, as well as evaluating U.S. policy to combat wildlife trafficking.",
      "type": "CRS Report",
      "typeId": "REPORT",
      "active": false,
      "formats": [
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      ],
      "topics": [
        {
          "source": "LIV",
          "id": "International trade",
          "name": "International trade"
        },
        {
          "source": "LIV",
          "id": "Plants",
          "name": "Plants"
        },
        {
          "source": "LIV",
          "id": "Forest products",
          "name": "Forest products"
        },
        {
          "source": "LIV",
          "id": "Fishes",
          "name": "Fishes"
        },
        {
          "source": "LIV",
          "id": "Foreign trade policy",
          "name": "Foreign trade policy"
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "source": "University of North Texas Libraries Government Documents Department",
      "sourceLink": "https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc463028/",
      "id": "RL34395_2008May19",
      "date": "2008-05-19",
      "retrieved": "2014-12-05T09:57:41",
      "title": "International Illegal Trade in Wildlife: Threats and U.S. Policy",
      "summary": "This report addresses illegal wildlife trade through several national and international venues and how this trade presents several potential environmental and national security threats to the United States. It also focuses on the international trade in terrestrial fauna, largely excluding trade in illegal plants, including timber, and fish.",
      "type": "CRS Report",
      "typeId": "REPORT",
      "active": false,
      "formats": [
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          "filename": "files/20080519_RL34395_cde8c3750ba147cce630ced60ed6a41b128b68e5.pdf"
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          "format": "HTML",
          "filename": "files/20080519_RL34395_cde8c3750ba147cce630ced60ed6a41b128b68e5.html"
        }
      ],
      "topics": [
        {
          "source": "LIV",
          "id": "Wildlife",
          "name": "Wildlife"
        },
        {
          "source": "LIV",
          "id": "Wildlife conservation",
          "name": "Wildlife conservation"
        },
        {
          "source": "LIV",
          "id": "Protection of animals",
          "name": "Protection of animals"
        },
        {
          "source": "LIV",
          "id": "Protection of wildlife",
          "name": "Protection of wildlife"
        },
        {
          "source": "LIV",
          "id": "Trade regulation",
          "name": "Trade regulation"
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "source": "University of North Texas Libraries Government Documents Department",
      "sourceLink": "https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc813636/",
      "id": "RL34395_2008Mar03",
      "date": "2008-03-03",
      "retrieved": "2016-03-19T13:57:26",
      "title": "International Illegal Trade in Wildlife: Threats and U.S. Policy",
      "summary": null,
      "type": "CRS Report",
      "typeId": "REPORT",
      "active": false,
      "formats": [
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          "filename": "files/20080303_RL34395_65c60a5ead9c53ab08710ea2b1afea8eff3c6f32.pdf"
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        {
          "format": "HTML",
          "filename": "files/20080303_RL34395_65c60a5ead9c53ab08710ea2b1afea8eff3c6f32.html"
        }
      ],
      "topics": []
    }
  ],
  "topics": [
    "Economic Policy",
    "Foreign Affairs",
    "Intelligence and National Security",
    "National Defense"
  ]
}