Shura Council to vote on protected species law

TDT | Manama

Email: mail@newsofbahrain.com

The Shura Council is due to vote on Sunday on a draft law that would let the Supreme Council for Environment update all of Bahrain’s protected-species schedules attached to the CITES trade law.

The bill amends Article (3) of Law No. (5) of 2021 on regulating and monitoring international trade in endangered species of wild fauna and flora.

It would replace item (13) so the Supreme Council for Environment can delete or add any species in the law’s annexes. That covers Annexes (1), (2) and (3), instead of Annex (3) only.

Memorandum

The explanatory memorandum says the change is meant to help Bahrain keep its lists in step with the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES).

Under the current law, the Supreme Council for Environment may amend Annex (3) directly, but any change to Annexes (1) and (2) requires a legislative amendment to the law itself under constitutional procedures.

The memorandum says that route can be too slow for the regular updates under CITES, delaying the adjustment of national rules to Bahrain’s international obligations.

Lists

The Supreme Council for Environment backed the draft, saying the lists of species change based on decisions taken by the CITES Conference of the Parties, and that giving it power over all annexes would avoid delays in updating the schedules.

It said the change would support Bahrain’s work to protect biodiversity, and its regional and international cooperation.

The Shura Council’s Public Utilities and Environment Committee recommended approval after reviewing the draft law.

Measures

In its report, the committee cited Article (9) of the Constitution, which says the state shall take the necessary measures to protect the environment and preserve wildlife.

It said the draft widens the Supreme Council for Environment’s powers under Law No. (5) of 2021 in support of protecting biodiversity as part of environmental protection.