CITES
March 2006

The International Bengal cat Society (TIBCS) has been working on clarification for the CITES regulations that is verified by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (US FWS) the agency responsible for managing import/export for the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). The process has not been an easy one but the urgency of the clarification is apparent. There have been three confiscations relating to CITES since December, 2005.

Why is it an issue now, when it was not one before? The Bengal cat was always to get a CITES permit when imported to or exported from the United Stares because the United States Fish and Wildlife Service had not formed a policy. Because there was no policy, for years Bengal cats have been shipped from the United States, by simply stating DSH (domestic shorthair). There are reports of Bengal cats being dyed, shipped as American Shorthairs, Egyptian maus, Ocicats, and many other creative means. As the number of Bengal cats has increased crossing international lines, the expertise of the officials has increased as well. A DSH designation stopped and confiscated four Bengal kittens. One of these is simply "gone"... all were designated DSH. In countries outside the United States, the designation DSH is seen as trying to circumvent custom fees. The success of the Bengal cat as a popular breed has made them too public to slide by any more.

The International Bengal cat Society through various committees and individuals has seen the need for clarification and has worked at getting a policy clearly stated and formally accepted by US FWS. This need for a clear, written policy is two fold. One piece having to do with Bengal cat breeders being able to abide by a clear policy and the other piece getting the policy changed. As long as the United States Fish and Wildlife Service REQUIRES the CITES for our DOMESTIC Bengal cats, the domestic Bengal cat remains in a precarious position in legislative issues.

I would like to thank at this time the following people who have assisted in this quest along the way. Von Picher, the unsung hero of the legislative committee who has worked on this and other issues for years. He has not bred Bengal cats for years, but remains a voice for us. Mara Summers who through raw Canadian determination made some headway with the US FWS. Karen Sausman has given direct advice from an "insiders" understanding of exotic animal import/export and has assisted in numerous ways. There are many that have read and scanned the writings I have done and helped me to hone the entangled wording... so thank you to all. Now for the bad news, and hopefully some future good news.

Along the way, I was able to make contact with Chief Van Norman of the US Fish and Wildlife Service. He is the final link on the chain of command.

The following quotes directly from my last correspondence with Chief Van Norman. All final clarification and approval of the wording comes from him. This is important, as we now have in writing for the first time, what is now required, the process of changing these requirements and a hoped for conclusion.

Bengal cat breeders find the status of the Bengal cat in relation to CITES regulation confusing when importing and exporting from the United States. This is because many countries have accepted and published policies that exclude the fifth generation and beyond from CITES permits, but the United States does not at this time have such a procedure in place. The immediacy for this clarification became evident with the confiscation of Bengal kittens both in the United States and in other countries. This is not to be taken lightly. In an effort to make sure the rules are correctly understood, Chief Tim Van Norman of the US FWS has read, corrected and approved information on paperwork.

If you are a TIBCS member, log into the members only area, choose Downloads and find the CITES instructions.

Libbie Kerr