BEIJING, July 27 (Xinhua) -- The illegal trade of wild animals and plants has exceeded 10 billion U.S. dollars, becoming the third largest source of illegal trade, after drugs and guns, experts said.

According to a press release of an international conference on wildlife trade crimes, experts attending the meeting said illegal trade of wildlife has threatened the species's survival, disturbed market order, caused tax loss, and might stir ecological and health hazards.

The conference, co-organized by the Interpol, China's Ministry of Public Security, and State Forestry Bureau, ended here on Thursday, according to the press release from the China's police authority.

It said the conference was participated by representatives of Interpol, The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species(CITES), police and wildlife protection groups from 21 countries and regions.

They asked all relevant nations to enhance international co-operation in combating crimes on wildlife, including the exchange of information, law-enforcement personnel, and technology, the press release said. Enditem