Etihad MOEW unite to combat illegal wildlife trafficking

(MENAFN- Arab News) Etihad Airways and the MOEW (the Ministry of Environment and Water) hosted workshops for two days this week about the growing threat of illegal wildlife smuggling.
The workshops which focused on potential trafficking through the airport environment were attended by representatives from the airline the Abu Dhabi Airports Company and the General Administration of Customs.
Etihad Airways and the MOEW also collaborated with other major stakeholders including TRAFFIC the wildlife trade monitoring network; Environment Agency Abu Dhabi; Emirates Wildlife Society WWF (EWS-WWF) and the International Fund for Animal Welfare all of which have extensive knowledge of international and regional wildlife trafficking activities.
The workshops took place at a time when the demand for protected animals and their products continues to increase. A key aim of the workshops was also to improve each organization's knowledge of the Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) of which the UAE has been a signatory since 1990.
Richard Hill chief operations officer of Etihad Airways said: 'We are committed to the welfare and protection of animals. Illegal trafficking is a growing problem which not only threatens endangered species but is a potential risk to passengers and airport employees. Collaboration in this area is essential in ensuring we can continue to curtail this illegal trade.'
The MOEW TRAFFIC (with funding from the United States Agency for International Development USAID) EWS-WWF IFAW and the Environment Agency Abu Dhabi provided a comprehensive introduction to CITES. They also offered guidance on CITES permits to help identify forgeries and ensure authenticity. Practical sessions were provided to help in species identification.
Mariam Mohammed Saeed Hareb acting assistant undersecretary of water resources and nature conservation affairs at the MOEW said: 'The workshop reflects the UAE's efforts in enhancing the effectiveness of international policies and legislation and their implementation."