Rules and Regulations

The trade in endangered species is controlled by CITES, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species. CITES controls trade in over 30,000 endangered species, and in products made from them, by regulating international trade. In the case of some of the most endangered species, all international commercial trade is banned.

In the UK it is illegal to offer for sale, sell, buy, or keep for sale any product that is made from an endangered species, or even claims to be made from one.

Some traditional medicine products that are illegal and have been found on sale in London are:

• Plasters containing tiger or leopard bone
• Ointments made from musk or bear bile
• Pills containing rhino or Saiga antelope horn
• Wine made from tiger bone
• Tea containing tortoise shell
• Shampoo made from bear bile