No. 839                                      Geneva, 18 April 1995


CONCERNING:


                              BENIN

           Suspension of Trade in Wild-caught Reptiles


1.The  Management Authority of Benin has informed the  Secretariat
  that,  from  31  March  1993,  it  suspended  authorization   of
  commercial export of specimens of wild-caught reptiles, although
  the  suspension  did not come into effect for skins  of  monitor
  lizards (Varanus spp.) until 12 October 1993.

2.Authorization  to export reptile specimens is  only  granted  to
  breeders  recognized by the Directorate of Forests  and  Natural
  Resources  of  the Ministry of Rural Development, which  is  the
  CITES Management Authority.