Interior Department certifies violations of the Pelly Amendment and Convention of International Trade.
Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland has notified the Senate and the House of Representatives that Chinese nationals were continuing to illegally buy and sell pangolins. Secretary Haaland also certified these findings to the president, allowing him to take action within 60 days to address this threat to these endangered species.
The Pelly Amendment to the Fishermen’s Protective Act of 1967 requires the Secretary of the Interior to report illegal trade that threatens international protections for endangered species. Pangolins are protected by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), and the trafficking of pangolins “diminishes the effectiveness” of that international initiative.
“The United States has consistently advocated for the protection of all eight CITES-listed species of pangolins, considered the world’s most heavily trafficked mammal,” the Department of the Interior stated. “In coordination with the Department of State, the Department endeavors to continue diplomatic engagement with the [People’s Republic of China] to further pangolin protection.”
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For wisdom for Secretary Haaland as she seeks to coordinate compliance with international laws and regulations.
- For the members of the House and Senate as they consider and respond to the certified findings of the trafficked endangered species.
Sources: Department of the Interior
