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Proposal to Ban Trade in Polar Bear Parts Is Rejected Proposal to Ban Trade in Polar Bear Parts Is Rejected
(about 5 hours later)
BANGKOK — A proposal to ban the international trade in polar bear parts was rejected Thursday at a major international conference on wildlife trade, highlighting the difficulties of reaching a global consensus on protecting many kinds of endangered wildlife. BANGKOK — A proposal to ban the international trade in polar bear parts was rejected on Thursday at a major international conference on wildlife trade, highlighting the difficulties of reaching a global consensus on protecting many kinds of endangered wildlife.
The decision on whether to upgrade the protective status of polar bears was one of the most high-profile issues being debated at a meeting of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species, or CITES, in Bangkok. The decision on whether to upgrade the protective status of polar bears was one of the most high-profile issues being debated at a meeting of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species, or Cites, here in Bangkok.
Others include proposals to afford protection to three species of sharks, manta rays, fresh water sawfish and various types of timber.Others include proposals to afford protection to three species of sharks, manta rays, fresh water sawfish and various types of timber.
The polar bear proposal had been put forward by the United States, but faced opposition from Canada, Greenland, and Norway, all of which have polar bear populations. A compromise proposal by the European Union that included export quotes and tagging to help control illegal trade also was rejected.The polar bear proposal had been put forward by the United States, but faced opposition from Canada, Greenland, and Norway, all of which have polar bear populations. A compromise proposal by the European Union that included export quotes and tagging to help control illegal trade also was rejected.
“We are obviously disappointed that the CITES membership failed to give greater protection to polar bears by limiting permissible trade in polar bear pelts and other body parts,” David J. Hayes, a deputy secretary of the U.S. Department of the Interior, said in an emailed statement.  “We are obviously disappointed that the Cites membership failed to give greater protection to polar bears by limiting permissible trade in polar bear pelts and other body parts,” David J. Hayes, a deputy secretary of the United States Department of the Interior, said in an e-mailed statement.
Polar bear populations have come under severe pressure as melting sea ice has shrunk their habitats. At the same time, soaring prices for polar bear hides also have led to increased hunting, said Dan Ashe, head of the U.S. delegation at the CITES meeting. Polar bear populations have come under severe pressure as melting sea ice has shrunk their habitats. At the same time, soaring prices for polar bear hides also have led to increased hunting, said Dan Ashe, head of the American delegation at the meeting.