MEMORANDUM D19-7-1

Ottawa, June 12, 2001

IN BRIEF

SUBJECT

CONVENTION ON INTERNATIONAL TRADE IN ENDANGERED SPECIES OF WILD FAUNA AND FLORA (CITES)

1. This Memorandum has been revised to reflect changes made necessary by amended regulations made under the Wild Animal and Plant Protection and Regulation of International and Interprovincial Trade Act (WAPPRIITA) covering personal and household effects, and other administrative issues.

2. The regulatory amendments include exemptions from CITES permit requirements for most types of personal effects, including certain tourist souvenirs accompanying a traveller, as well as for items which are part of an inheritance or household effects of individuals moving to or from Canada. Also included are: provisions for prosecution based on species information provided on the packaging or accompanying documents; administrative matters pertaining to enforcement of the Act (removal notices and extension of the period before automatic forfeiture to the Crown); and a new Schedule III listing CITES species endangered or threatened in Canada (see Appendix C). These species are excluded from the exemption for personal and household effects and certain tourist souvenirs.

3. Appendix A, "CITES Control List - 2000," contains an update of the listings of all species in the Appendices to the Convention.

MEMORANDUM D19-7-1

Ottawa, June 12, 2001

SUBJECT

CONVENTION ON INTERNATIONAL TRADE IN ENDANGERED SPECIES OF WILD FAUNA AND FLORA (CITES)

The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) is an international agreement intended to protect certain species of animals and plants against over exploitation through international trade. The Canada Customs and Revenue Agency (CCRA) assists Environment Canada with the administration of the Convention by enforcing its controls at customs points of importation and exportation. This Memorandum outlines the legislative authority for these controls, the Wild Animal and Plant Protection and Regulation of International and Interprovincial Trade Act (WAPPRIITA), and provides procedures for the detention and disposal of CITES controlled goods.

This Memorandum is available on the CCRA Web site at www.ccra.gc.ca.