Deputy Ministerof Agriculture and Rural Development Vu Van Tam made the comment at aMay 27 ceremony marking 20 years since Vietnam joined the Convention onInternational Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora(CITES).
The trafficking of wild species hasbecome a common problem of all nations over the world, Tam said, addingthat Vietnam will strictly enforce international commitments to which itis a member.
CITES Secretary General John E.Scanlon expressed his hope that with its experience, Vietnam willcontinue doing its utmost to fight this kind of crime.
Over the past two decades, Vietnam has received support frominternational organisations and CITES country members. It has betteredits legal system relating to this issue and carried out activities toraise public awareness.
Illegal trading of wildspecies is estimated to bring smugglers 10-15 billion USD each year. Itcauses negative impact on natural resources and increases the risk ofspreading infectious diseases.
CITES now counts 180 country members. Vietnam became its 121 st member on April 20, 1994.-VNA