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tative international conservation organisation and of which the World Wildlife 

 Fund is the fundraising associate. Joint meetings were arranged in 1969 by the 

 International Fur Trade Federation (IFTF) which were alttended by representa- 

 tives of the Fur Trade and the lUCN, including such well known conservationists 



as : 



Lt. Cdr. Peter Scott (Chairman of lUCN Survival Service Commission) ; 

 Mr. Richard Fitter (Hon. Secretary of the Fauna Preservation Society) ; 

 Prof. Paul Leyhausen (Chairman of the lUCN Survival Service Commis- 

 sion Cat Group) ; and 



Mr. Harry Goodwin (Chief of the Endangered Species OflBce, U.S. Depart- 

 ment of the Interior). 

 These meetings confirmed that there was a great deal of common ground be- 

 tween the two sides in as much as the Fur Trade was genuinely anxious to pre- 

 vent the extinction of the threatened species of animals by all means in their 

 power, and that the lUCN recognised the legitimate interests of the Trade which 

 could often contribute to the necessary culling and balance of wildlife and to 

 the rational utilization of a renewable resource. 



As a result of the discussions during the meetings, it was agreed that the 

 IFTF would recommend strongly to their members a voluntary total Imn on tradi- 

 in the skins of five seriously endangered animals as follows : 



Tiger (Panthera tigris) ; Snow Leopard (Panthera uncia) : Clouded Leonard 

 (Neofelis nebulosa) ; La Plata Otter (Lutra platensis) ; and Giant Otter (Ptero 

 nura bra sinensis'* 



Since there is now a good deal of evidence that Leopards and Cheetahs, al- 

 though not immediately endangered, are being overkilled in some areas it was 

 agreed that a temporary ban or moratorium should be recommended for three 

 years, to enable a scientific survey to be made to determine the true position of 

 these animals and the sustainable yield. These measures would operate from a 

 date which would allow the Trade to clear existing stock as legitimate sales. 



In Great Britain, the British Fur Trade Association has proposed to the 

 Government that they should remove the skins of the seven species mentioned 

 above from the open general license to import raw skins which operates at pres- 

 ent, so that they will only be allowed into the country under a specific import 

 license if accompanied by a certificate of legal capture from the originating 

 country authenticated by the United Kingdom Consul. 



The Swiss, German and French Associations have approached their Govern- 

 ments on similar lines to the British Fur Trade. Among South American Spotted 

 Cats, such as Jaguars, Ocelots, Peludas and other types of Spotted Cats presently 

 under pressure from exploitation, there was not suflScient information to indicate 

 that the siiecies were endangered, and it was necessary that an enquiry should 

 take place as soon as possible into the position of these animals, so that action 

 could be taken in good time to prevent the depletion of stocks. 



These enquiries on Leopards and Cheetahs and South American Cats would be 

 carried out jointly by lUCN and IFTF who would maintain a close watch on the 

 number of skins coming on to the market and make a substantial financial con- 

 tribution to the costs of such surveys. 



It was also agreed that the IFTF would recommend to their member associa- 

 tions that they should support all conservation legislation in their respective 

 countries on the same lines as the United States Endangered Species Act which, 

 with the help of the American Fur Merchants Association, became effective in 

 the U.S.A. in August 1970. 



The Director General of lUCN has said : 



"This agreement with the IFTF whose members include Fur Trade Asso- 

 ciations throughout the world, represents an important forward step toward 

 the rational management of these living resources. The action of the IFTF 

 will be a significant and lasting contribution to the preservation of the life 

 forms which are in danger of extinction." 

 And Mr. Walter Hickel, when United States Secretary of the Interior, in a 

 personal letter has said : 



"The United States Department of the Interior sends its congratulations 

 to the International Fur Trade Federation for its efforts to save endangered 

 species and prevent other species from becoming threatened with extinction. 

 The efforts of all international organisations concerned with conservation 

 and rational use of the living resources of the world must be joined to pre- 

 serve these life forms for future generations." 

 Retail fur stores throughout the world who subscribe to these agreements vrill 

 display a plaque which certifies that they support the principles of conservation 

 and adhere strictly to the guidance provided by the World Wildlife Fund on the 



