Thousands of Hoodia Diet Pill Shipments Stopped at the Border by Federal Wildlife Enforcement Officers

OTTAWA, August 28, 2006 – Thousands of diet pill shipments ordered by Canadians are arriving at Canada's borders and being detained by federal wildlife and customs officials because they contain an endangered African plant species called hoodia.

Hoodia has been featured on Sixty Minutes, in O, The Oprah Magazine and in other media as an effective, safe, natural appetite suppressant. Foreign marketers, based predominantly in the U.S., are advertising to Canadians who place orders, often unaware that the seller is outside Canada.

Since May 2006, these diet pill shipments have been intercepted daily at international mail centres, courier facilities and airports in Montreal, Quebec City, Mississauga, Calgary and Vancouver because importers do not have the proper permits. So far, in excess of 2,000 shipments have been detained. No charges have been laid, but federal Wildlife Officers may charge importers who have not obtained the proper permits.

Hoodia is a cactus-like plant native to Namibia, Botswana and South Africa. It is usually sold in powdered form or in capsules. A bottle of 60 pills usually costs between $30 and $45. Since 2005, the plant has been listed under Appendix II of the Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). There is legal trade in hoodia, which is managed by the CITES international permit system which helps ensure that wild populations of plants are not threatened by international trade. In order for a shipment of hoodia specimens, parts, or products to be legally exported from, it must be accompanied by a CITES Appendix-II permit or certificate issued by the CITES Management Authority of the country of export.

To protect this threatened species, Environment Canada is requesting that consumers ensure that before they order hoodia diet pills, that the pills are being imported legally with a proper permit. Consumers who order without proof of a valid CITES permit risk not receiving their purchase. Shipments without a valid CITES export or re-export permit will be detained by Environment Canada wildlife enforcement officers or by Canada Border Services Agency customs officers. Officers are not legally permitted to release products without the proper permit and an importer cannot obtain such a permit after the fact.

Environment Canada Wildlife Enforcement Division works in close cooperation with the Canada Border Services Agency as well as other federal, provincial and international enforcement agencies to protect species at risk both in Canada and abroad. Further information on CITES in Canada may be found at www.cites.ec.gc.ca

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