We are pleased to announce that the Orchid Specialist Group is hosting a side event at the upcoming CITES Plants Committee meeting. A copy of all the presentations is available here.
Think you know orchids?
Twenty-third meeting of the Plants Committee (Geneva, Switzerland)
Centre International de Conférences Genève
Wednesday, 26 July, 2017 - 12:30-2pm - Room 5
Orchids make up approximately 75% of all CITES listed species, but have gained little attention during recent CITES meetings. This is potentially because orchids are already CITES-listed and so considered "done"; their trade is often not seen as a pressing conservation issue, and many Parties do not know about the scale and diversity of orchid trade. Yet, scientists and practitioners working with orchids are keenly aware and concerned about the prevalence of continued widespread unsustainable and illegal orchid trade for horticulture, medicines, food, etc., as well as the potential for greater legal and sustainable trade. The proposed side-event will raise the profile of contemporary orchid trade as a continued, global CITES concern, informing Parties and NGOs about the types, scales and of different forms of orchid trade. Speakers include:
Dr. Jacob Phelps, Co-Chair, Orchid Specialist Group – Global Trade Programme
Dr. Yuan Liangchen, Deputy Director, Division of Flora Affairs, CITES Management Authority of China
Dr. Ruth Bone, International Plants Officer, Royal Botanic Gardens Kew
Dr. Catherine Rutherford, Botanical consultant on trade in finished products containing orchid derivatives