The report suggests that the illicit sale of animals and plants is the world's fourth largest illegal trade after narcotics, counterfeiting of products and currency and the trafficking of people.
Yet until now, with the exception ofnarcotics, illicit trade has simply not been a priority in international law and treaty making, or in international police work and cooperative law enforcement.
Over the course of many years, the United States has been trying to get the cooperation of Colombia and Peru to combat narcotics trafficking and the trade agreements were promised as a sign of recognition for their success on this front.