Legislation

The MASAI GALLERY respects the laws governing the protection of species as is proven in the fact that each taxidermy animal mounts which it sells or hires is accompanied by the legally compulsory documents such as the CITES document or a traceability certificate.

The protection of species of fauna and wild flora threatened by extinction is governed by the CITES Washington Convention.

This CITES Convention has drawn up three lists (called appendices I, II and III) of animal and plant species requiring different levels of protection, depending on the degree of threat to these species.

“The Washington Pact” or the “Washington Convention” has been set up to control the sale of skins and mounted or living animals in accordance with the law of each country.  The goal of this law is not to prohibit the sale of these items, but to prevent the disappearance of particular species.

Today, approximately 34,000 animal and plant species are listed and protected by this Convention.

The CITES certificate protects the listed animals and plants, (dead or alive), and all the derivatives and recognizable parts.  It protects animal and plant species that are threatened with extinction.

The CITES certificate in Belgium is issued by the Ministry of Agriculture or by the competent authorities in each country (Wild & Life) and accompanies all the animals during shipment so that they can be checked by the customs at each border. States can decide if they want to join this convention and those that do are called ‘parties’. In 2011 there were 175.

The veterinary certificate issued by the FASFC (Federal Agency for the Safety of the Food Chain) also acts as a traceability passport for skins.  This organisation was first founded in 2000 and the board is made up of scientists and experts.