The permit system and environmental risks

The permit system and environmental risks.
Tom Kaveny - Environment Australia.

Australia is home to an extraordinary variety of wildlife. Many of the species of animals and plants are found nowhere else on Earth. Protecting this biological diversity is an important part of ensuring a healthy ecology, on which we depend for our wellbeing and economic prosperity. As a responsible member of the international community, Australia is committed to protecting endangered species from around the world.

To help meet these goals and to promote the humane treatment of wildlife, the Commonwealth Government regulates the export and import of animals and plants and products derived from them.

Until recently, the principal Commonwealth instrument for regulating the trade in wildlife has been the Wildlife Protection (Regulation of Exports and Imports) Act 1982 (the Wildlife Protection Act). In the two decades since this legislation was introduced the range of activities involving the use of or trade in wildlife has increased dramatically. Individuals and companies are routinely undertaking activities that were not considered at the time the Wildlife Protection Act was enacted.

The Wildlife Protection Act is also complex with some provisions providing limited conservation benefit while creating administrative burdens on industry and government. Many industry groups and individuals have found it difficult to conduct their reasonable and legitimate activities within the Act. New legislation

On 29 June 2001, the Australian Parliament passed new legislation that will address these concerns while also strengthening conservation and welfare outcomes the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Amendment (Wildlife Protection) Act 2001. The new measures included in this Amendment Act are to be incorporated into the Commonwealth's principal environment legislation, the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act). The new legislation will come into effect on 11 January 2002.

These new wildlife trade provisions will retain strict controls on the export of Australia's native wildlife, the import of live exotic species and the movement of endangered species, whose trade is regulated by the Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).

Live species imports

Live species brought into Australia, either by design or by accident, have caused some of this country's greatest environmental disasters. To address this potential problem only species included on a new list will be eligible for importation. The list will comprise two categories:
- Species that are unrestricted and do not require an import permit; and
- Species that are restricted and for which an import permit is required and to which conditions will apply.

Live imports of species that are not included on this list will be prohibited.

Import permits will be available under the following categories:
- Non-commercial purpose imports for research, personal items, exhibition and education, household pets, conservation breeding or artificial propagation, and travelling exhibitions.
- Commercial purpose imports from commercial import programs, and approved captive breeding, artificial propagation or aquaculture operations.


(Note: Unfortunately the whole talk is not available because Environment Australia have not supplied it.)