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ZAGREB, Aug 18 (Hina) - In addition to the huge drug market, the highest values on the black market are paid for endangered species of fauna and flora - up to US$5 billion annually. The trend of tying these two illegal activities has become prominent in the past few years. This detail is noted in the government's bill on confirming the Convention on International Traded of Endangered Species of Wild Life and Plants (CITES) which should be put to the Sabor in the autumn sitting. The objective of the Convention is to establish supervision over trade with endgangered animal and plant species. Unlimited commercial use is one of the main threats to the existence of over 37,000 species. Smugglers are mostly "motivated" by the fact that the black market price is higher for those species which are rarer. The main importers of endangered animal and plant species are wealthy countries while exporters are mostly south east Asian countries, South America and Africa. Central and eastern European countries are often the forum for transit or "washing" (i.e. falsifying) documents. In an effort to establish supervision over international trade of endangered species in 1973 the CITES convention was adopted which to date has been joined by 145 countries. Croatia is amongst the few countries which are not members as yet although the issue is partially covered by the Law on the Protection of Nature. By accessing the CITES, Croatia will be included in resolving the issues of trading with endangered species at an international level and as such will contribute to the protection of domestic and globally endangered species. (hina) sp