The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries is taking urgent action to combat illegal wildlife smuggling and avoid wildlife trade sanctions being imposed by the General Secretariat of the Convention of International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES).

The Geneva-based body has warned the UAE that it must adequately enforce the terms of the convention it signed in 1974, and has given the ministry until October 31 to prove tough measures are being taken against the smuggling of endangered species.

If inspections by a CITES delegation are then found unsatisfactory, wildlife trade sanctions may be imposed on the UAE by 154 fellow signatory countries.

The move follows of one of the largest illegal bird seizures to date at Delhi International Airport, where a UAE-bound consignment of 1,200 rare finches and 33 Alexandrine Parakeets was confiscated by Indian customs officials.

Dr Ali Arab, head of the Animal Wealth Section at the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, said he was confident new policies would be in place in time to prevent trade embargos, and that stringent measures to halt the smuggling of rare animals and their body parts would be effective.

"The main problem has been poor cooperation between government bodies to enforce CITES legislation," he said.

"We have now worked out a plan to create a network between the police, municipalities, ports and customs authorities, the Ministry of Justice and Ministry of Interior, and this will be implemented before the October 31 deadline.

"What must be remembered is that the wildlife trade is as big a part of the International black market as arms trading and drug trafficking. There is a huge amount of money to be made, so people do find ingenious ways of bringing parts and animals into the country."

A Senior CITES Enforcement Officer in Geneva explained the situation, saying that details of the UAE discussed by the Secretariat's latest meeting in Paris had resulted in the decision.

"The Standing Committee agreed that the United Arab Emirates should, as soon as possible, invite a mission by the Secretariat with the following aims: to discuss illicit trade in specimens of CITES-listed species to and from that country; to provide technical advice and support; and to examine the measures in place to implement the convention in the United Arab Emirates."

Dr Arab said, "From now on, all creatures, whether they are CITES-listed or not, must have valid import certificates. Even those travelling in transit through the UAE to other countries must have special documentation.

"We are hoping to work closely with the police. As a ministry working on our own we do not have power to bring these people to justice."

Mohammed Hamdan, chief of the Quarantine Section, who is helping implement the new programme, described the illegal traders as a "real headache".

"These people try all sorts of things to bring creatures into the country which include doubling the amount that is allowed in on their papers or simply by blatant smuggling. Just last month we intercepted a Russian woman at Dubai Airport carrying two Samsonite suitcases. Packed into them were 24 puppies and 12 kittens, all about two weeks of age and most of them had died. Our biggest problems are caused by the African and Russian market and this area will be clamped down upon."

Arab added, "We are not the only country in the Gulf to revise our policies at this time. Currently Yemen, Oman and Qatar are tightening up too, which will make our job easier because the borders will be more secure."