1. What is Lusaka Agreement Task Force (LATF)?
LATF is a law enforcement institution which is also the Secretariat of the Lusaka Agreement on Cooperative Enforcement Operations Directed at Illegal Trade in Wild Fauna and Flora.
2. How does LATF operate?
LATF operates in and across Party states jointly with National Bureaus and other relevant national law enforcement agencies. In this regard it facilitates cooperative enforcement operations, collects intelligence, investigates cases, participates in arrests and supports prosecution of wildlife law offenders.
(Refer to Specific Functions of LATF on “About us’ web page)
3. Why “Lusaka” as in the Lusaka Agreement?
The Agreement was adopted in Lusaka, Zambia on 8th September 1994 hence “Lusaka Agreement”.
4. What precipitated the idea of Lusaka Agreement and the Task Force?
The Agreement was first conceptualized during deliberations by the first African Wildlife Law Enforcement Co-operation Conference that was held in Lusaka Zambia from 9-11th December 1992. The Conference, which was attended by senior officers from Eastern and Southern Countries, pointed out lack of cooperation as one of the problems faced by national law enforcement agencies in combating international wildlife smuggling syndicates.
Due to practical and legal challenges that were facing the national institutions mandated to fight wildlife crime, the Conference proposed more effective measures to combat cross border illegal trade. One of the key recommendations made was the establishment of a Task Force to complement national enforcement efforts aimed at curtailing illegal trade in wild fauna and flora. Consequently, the Lusaka Agreement was adopted which facilitated the establishment of the Task Force.
5. How big is LATF ?
The Lusaka Agreement Task Force is currently composed of 13 members of staff, five( 5) of whom are Seconded Officers from Party States (including the Director and Intelligence Officer) while the rest are support staff.
6. How is LATF funded?
The Annual Budget of the Task Force is mainly financed by the Parties. Besides Party States’ contributions, the Task Force receives grants/donations from co-operating partners and other well wishers to support specific programmes.
7. Which countries are Parties to the Agreement?
So far six (6) countries have acceded to the Agreement namely the Republics of Congo (Brazzaville), Kenya, Uganda and Zambia, the Kingdom of Lesotho and the United Republic of Tanzania. The Republics of Ethiopia, South Africa and the Kingdom of Swaziland are signatories to the Agreement.
8. How does a country become a member of the Lusaka Agreement?
Article 12(3) of the Lusaka Final Act, states that the “Agreement shall remain open for accession by any African state”. Consequently, all African countries are eligible for membership to the Lusaka Agreement for as long as they accept and comply with their obligations under it.
For a country to become a Party, its instruments of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession must be deposited with the Secretary-General of the United Nations who will notify the Parties on the same.
9. Does LATF assist or work with non-Party States?
Yes, the Task Force occasionally works with non-Party States through their relevant wildlife entities and law enforcement agencies especially on issues affecting Party States, including capacity building programmes.
10. What is the extent of illegal trade in wild fauna and flora?
According to Interpol, illegal trade in wild fauna and flora is estimated to be the second after drug trafficking in terms of revenue involved. Illegal wildlife trade comes in many forms and involves sophisticated syndicates. It is therefore difficult to quantify with precision the exact volume of illegal trade but it is undoubtedly big business in Africa.
Reports reveal that illegal wildlife trade is growing at an alarming rate as illustrated by the large quantities of contraband such as elephant ivory and live animals seized in the recent times. The lucrative markets existing both locally and overseas have exacerbated the situation.
11. Which animals and plants are most adversely affected by illegal trade?
Live Specimens
Chameleons, Tortoises, Birds , Great Apes, Crocodiles
Bush meat
-Almost all wild animal species
Animal Trophies
Rhino horns, Elephant ivory, Hippopotamus teeth, skins (Leopard/Zebra/Cheetah/Python), Turtle shells
Plants
Succulents, Sandalwood, Aloe Vera, Cycads, Hardwood species for timber
12. Which are the common destinations of illegal wildlife specimens originating from Africa?
Countries in North America, Europe and the Far East
13. What are the main uses of the smuggled plant and animal specimens?
Used for traditional medicine, perfumery, museum artefacts, jewellery, decorations, pets and in the leather tanning industry.
14. Who are LATF’s collaborating partners?
Our partners mainly comprise National law enforcement agencies, UNEP, CITES, ICPO-Interpol, World Customs Organization-WCO, Organization for Conservation of African Wild Fauna –OCFSA /COMIFAC Secretariats, US Fish and Wildlife Service, David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation(UK), International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), Forest Bureau CoA (Taiwan), Corpo Forestale Dello Stato (Italy), International Network for Environmental Compliance and Enforcement (INECE-USA), Israel Nature & National Parks, Environmental Investigations Agency (EIA), Humane Society of United States & Canada among others. (Refer to web page on Partnerships)
15. How can I support LATF ?
By providing:
(i) relevant information related to wildlife crime
(ii) financial and any other relevant support to LATF programmes
|
