CITES – the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, is an international agreement between several countries. The idea behind this organisation is to make sure that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival. Hoodia Gordonii is on the list of protected species.
CITES does not mean an international law. Instead, the idea is to function as a framework, and that every state should make up their own laws to protect these species. Laws differ between the various countries in the convention. Canada and New Zeeland require licences for importing Hoodia Gordonii products, while the US does not.
We believe that any company involved in the manufacturing and marketing of Hoodia supplements should make absolutely sure that they and the industry won´t hurt the survival of this important species.
Only buy Hoodia Gordonii products from serious companies that use material obtained through controlled harvesting and production in collaboration with the CITES Management Authorities of Botswana/Namibia/South Africa.