16 U.S.C. § 5301 : US Code - Section 5301: Findings

Search 16 U.S.C. § 5301 : US Code - Section 5301: Findings

The Congress finds the following:
(1) The world's rhinoceros population is declining at an
alarming rate, a 90 percent decline since 1970.
(2) All 5 subspecies of tiger are currently threatened with
extinction in the wild, with approximately 5,000 to 6,000 tigers
remaining worldwide.
(3) All rhinoceros species have been listed on Appendix I of
CITES since 1977.
(4) All tiger subspecies have been listed on Appendix I of
CITES since 1987.
(5) The tiger and all rhinoceros species, except the southern
subspecies of white rhinoceros, are listed as endangered species
under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et
seq.).
(6) In 1987, the parties to CITES adopted a resolution that
urged all parties to establish a moratorium on the sale and trade
in rhinoceros products (other than legally taken trophies), to
destroy government stockpiles of rhinoceros horn, and to exert
pressure on countries continuing to allow trade in rhinoceros
products.
(7) On September 7, 1993, under section 1978 of title 22 the
Secretary certified that the People's Republic of China and
Taiwan were engaged in trade of rhinoceros parts and tiger parts
that diminished the effectiveness of an international
conservation program for that endangered species.
(8) On September 9, 1993, the Standing Committee of CITES, in
debating the continuing problem of trade in rhinoceros horn and
tiger parts, adopted a resolution urging parties to CITES to
implement stricter domestic measures, up to and including an
immediate prohibition in trade in wildlife species.
(9) On November 8, 1993, under section 1978 of title 22, the
President announced that the United States would impose trade
sanctions against China and Taiwan unless substantial progress
was made by March 1994 towards ending trade in rhinoceros and
tiger products.
(10) On April 11, 1994, under section 1978 of title 22, the
President -
(A) directed that imports of wildlife specimens and products
from Taiwan be prohibited, in response to Taiwan's failure to
undertake sufficient actions to stop illegal rhinoceros and
tiger trade; and
(B) indicated that the certification of China would remain in
effect and directed that additional monitoring of China's
progress be undertaken.