UPDATE: Definition of Hunting Trophy

Back on the floor, the revised version of the definition of hunting trophy raised some eyebrows. For good reasons, the CITES Secretariat removed a word that caused some concern. It is amazing how the addition or deletion of a comma, preposition, or single word can change the meaning of a sentence.  In this case, there were no major changes in the meaning. A committee discussion opened on the wording of the definition, and the committee finally reached consensus on a definition. 

Thus a definition of hunting trophy was approved by the Parties for the first time in the history of CITES.  SCI and SCIF are comfortable with the definition, which considers worked and manufactured items made from a hunted animal as part of the entire hunting trophy.  The United States was supportive of the definition, and although they will keep their restrictive definition, we hope that the US will soon replace their definition with the CITES definition.  We would post the definition today; however, there is still one last chance that the issue will be raised on the final days of the CITES Convention.  In the final days, all issues will be reviewed for final adoption by the Parties in a plenary session, and it is possible for debate to be reopened on contentious issues.  We will post the definition as soon as it has been adopted in plenary session.  Stay tuned.