SIA SIGNS BUCKINGHAM PALACE DECLARATION AGAINST WILDLIFE TRAFFICKING

Singapore Airlines has signed the United for Wildlife Transport Taskforce[1] Buckingham Palace Declaration in support of efforts to prevent trafficking and transportation of illegal wildlife and their products. The signing took place at the International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) Annual General Meeting in Cancun, Mexico (5 June 2017, Cancun Time).

The Declaration[2] now boasts 38 airlines under its umbrella, all of which have pledged to fight against transportation of illegal wildlife products in the hope of clamping down on the trade chains for such wildlife worldwide. More information on the Taskforce and Declaration may be found at www.unitedforwildlife.org.

• As a signatory, SIA agrees to implement actions under the relevant commitments outlined in the Declaration, such as adopting a zero tolerance policy regarding illegal wildlife trade, increasing awareness among passengers and staff, providing staff training to identify and report suspected illegal wildlife, and engaging the relevant stakeholders.

SIA and subsidiary SIA Cargo have long been against the illegal transport of wildlife and unsustainable animal products. SIA prohibits the carriage of any animals or wildlife by passengers, for example, with the exception of domesticated cats and dogs that are checked in, and service and emotional support dogs in the cabin.

SIA Cargo only permits the carriage of live animals in compliance with the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and IATA Live Animal Regulations (LAR). In addition, following a thorough review which took into account increasing concerns around the world related to shark finning, SIA Cargo stopped accepting the carriage of shark fin with effect from 1 August 2014. This non-carriage was extended to include hunting trophies after a similar review was conducted in May 2015.

“Singapore Airlines is proud to be a signatory to the Buckingham Palace Declaration. This underscores our strong belief in the conservation of wildlife and further demonstrates our commitment to sustainable causes. We look forward to working closely with government authorities, conservation organisations, IATA and other stakeholders in the fight against wildlife trafficking,” said SIA’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr Goh Choon Phong, who signed the Declaration on behalf of the Airline.

“It is great to see Singapore Airlines committing to join the fight against wildlife traffickers. The illegal wildlife trade threatens the survival of many iconic species, and local communities that depend on nature-based tourism. Airlines can play an important role in helping the authorities stamp out this appalling trade,” said IATA’s Director General and CEO, Mr Alexandre de Juniac.

[1] Launched in December 2014, the United for Wildlife Transport Taskforce was established to facilitate the transport sector, examining its role in the illegal wildlife trade with the aim of subsequently identifying means by which the sector can break these trade chains.

[2] As stated on United for Wildlife’s website, the Buckingham Palace Declaration is ‘a landmark agreement committing to take real steps to shut down the routes exploited by traffickers of the illegal wildlife trade moving their products’.