Background

Few species are as well covered by international law as the vicuna (Vicugna vicugna), a South American cameloid closely related to the llama and reputed to have the finest and most expensive wool in the world. Three international conventions have been concluded in the last fifteen years specifically to promote its conservation. They are the Convention for the Conservation of Vicuna (concluded in La Paz in October 1969 and hereinafter called the “La Paz Agreement”) to which Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Peru and Ecuador are Parties, the Convention for the Conservation and Management of Vicuna (signed in Lima on 16 October 1979 and hereinafter called the “Lima Convention”) to which Bolivia, Chile, Ecuador and Peru are Parties, and the bilateral Agreement Between the Bolivian and Argentinian Governments for the Protection and Conservation of Vicuna (signed in Buenos Aires on 16 February 1981 and hereinafter called the “Buenos Aires Agreement”). In addition, vicuna are listed in Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (“CITES”).

The extraordinary attention lavished on vicuna by lawmakers reflects the heated debate which has raged in recent years as to whether or not controlled exploitation of the species should be allowed.