International agreements and organisations
The most important international agreements and organisations concerning game husbandry and hunting include the following:
- Convention on Biological Diversity
- CITES Convention
- Bern Convention
- Bonn Convention
- AEWA
- Ramsar Convention
- Convention for the Protection of the Baltic Sea
- Agreement on International Humane Trapping Standards
- International Council For Game and Wildlife Conservation (CIC)
- Wetlands International
Convention on Biological Diversity
The objective of the Convention on Biological Diversity is to conserve biological diversity, to ensure the sustainable use of the components of biological diversity, and to set principles for the fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising from the utilisation of genetic resources. The objectives of the Convention and the measures taken under it also influence the management of many game species.
CITES Convention
The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) is one of the world’s most comprehensive international agreements on environmental protection. It regulates the trade in over 30,000 endangered plant and animal species, their parts and products derived from them. The regulation applies to wild animals and plants as well as specimens that have been bred in captivity, farmed or artificially propagated.
Of Finnish game animal species, wolf, red fox, bear, otter, ermine, lynx, fallow deer, white-tailed deer and Canadian goose are covered by CITES.
Bern Convention
The Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats, also known as the Bern Convention, focuses primarily on endangered species and their habitats. Particular efforts are made to protect species and natural areas that require collaboration among several states. According to the Convention, the contracting parties must take requisite measures to maintain the populations of wild flora and fauna at a level which corresponds to ecological, scientific and cultural requirements.
Bonn Convention
The Bonn Convention (Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals, CMS) protects migratory populations of wild animals that regularly migrate from one country to another and their habitats. The Convention covers the strictly protected species listed in the Appendix to the Convention and all migratory wild animals.
AEWA
The Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA) is an international treaty dedicated to the protection of birds. Its objective is to encourage closer cooperation between different countries to ensure the conservation of migratory waterfowl and their habitats. AEWA covers 255 species of birds that depend on wetlands for at least part of the year. AEWA is developed under the framework of the Bonn Convention.
Ramsar Convention
The Ramsar Convention aims to prevent the loss of wetlands and to oblige countries to promote the conservation of waterbirds and wetlands of international importance by establishing nature reserves in wetlands. Under the Convention, the contracting countries participate in creating a conservation network for the wintering, resting and breeding areas of waterbirds.
Convention for the Protection of the Baltic Sea
The Convention on the Protection of the Marine Environment of the Baltic Sea Area is also known as the Helsinki Convention (HELCOM). HELCOM covers all Baltic Sea states. Its governing body, the Helsinki Commission, monitors the status of the Baltic Sea and provides advice to the Baltic Sea states.
Agreement on International Humane Trapping Standards
The Agreement on International Humane Trapping Standards (AIHTS) is an international agreement between the EU, Canada and the Russian Federation. The objective of the Agreement is to establish standards for humane trapping, aiming to ensure a sufficient level of welfare of trapped animals and to further improve this welfare. The Agreement applies to mechanical traps intended for killing or capturing animals. It lays down requirements for both restraining and killing trapping methods.
National decrees relating to international agreements
- Decree on bringing into force the Convention on Biological Diversity
- Decree on bringing into force the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora
- Decree on bringing into force the Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats
- Decree on bringing into force the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds
- Decree on bringing into force the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance especially as Waterfowl Habitat
- Decree on bringing into force the Convention on the Protection of the Marine Environment of the Baltic Sea Area, 1992
- Agreement on International Humane Trapping Standards
International Council for Game and Wildlife Conservation (CIC)
The International Council for Game and Wildlife Conservation (CIC) is a politically independent international advisory body, aiming to promote international game preservation measures. CIC’s objective is to promote sustainable hunting for the benefit of people and the nature.
Wetlands International
Wetlands International is a global organisation dedicated to the conservation of wetlands and monitoring of waterbird populations. Its objective is to ensure that wetlands are treasured and nurtured for the life they support and the resources they provide.
Useful external website
CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora)
The Ministry of the Environment’s CITES web page
Convention on Biological Diversity
Agreement on International Humane Trapping Standards