The IUCN SSC WHSG calls for timely movement of emergency diagnostic specimens for conservation purposes. The WHSG has been coordinating with the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) on potential ways to overcome specimen import and export permitting delays that may hinder timely diagnosis and disease control measures in emergency disease events. A reference laboratory structure, as utilized by the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO), is proposed. The following resources are intended as a starting point to initiate discussions by CITES Delegates on appropriate solutions:
-Editorial in EcoHealth (published in August 2016): http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10393-016-1154-4
-Briefing document (prepared in April 2016): http://www.iucn-whsg.org/CITES_EmergencyDiagnosticSpecimens