Canadian re-elected to lead INTERPOL Wildlife Crime Working Group
News Release
December 1st, 2015 – Paris, France – Environment Canada and Climate Change Canada
The Honourable Catherine McKenna, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, announced today that Sheldon Jordan, Director General of the Wildlife Enforcement Directorate, has been re-elected as Chair of INTERPOL’s Wildlife Crime Working Group.
“I would like to congratulate Mr. Jordan. His re-election to this internationally recognized and respected organization highlights the commitment made by the Government of Canada to protect wildlife at home and abroad, and further strengthens Canada’s reputation for environmental stewardship.”
Mr. Jordan will serve a second two-year term as Chair. He will focus on developing law enforcement capacity worldwide to fight wildlife and forestry crime, improve communications among law enforcement agencies and support international criminal investigations.
The Wildlife Crime Working Group supports INTERPOL’s Environmental Compliance and Enforcement Committee, which convened last week in Singapore, to review the most pressing criminal threats to the earth’s natural resources and biodiversity. Moving forward, the working group will develop strategies to prevent and combat wildlife crime, with an emphasis on the illegal trade of endangered species, as well as illegal logging and related forest crime.
Quick Facts
- Wildlife crime has significantly increased over the last eight years and is estimated by INTERPOL to be worth between US$10 billion and US$30 billion annually. Wildlife crime is ranked as the fourth highest illegal activity worldwide in terms of value after narcotics, counterfeiting and human trafficking.
- In Canada, Environment and Climate Change Canada’s Enforcement Branch enforces federal wildlife laws. The department works closely with Canada Border Services Agency, territorial and provincial governments as well as police forces across Canada.
- INTERPOL’s Environmental Compliance and Enforcement Committee represents 190 member countries to provide strategic advice on relevant issues and to employ global support in the mission to stop environmental crime. The Committee comprises three working groups specializing in fighting crime in wildlife, pollution and fisheries.
- In July 2015, the United Nations General Assembly passed a resolution calling on member states to tackle wildlife crime.
Associated Link
Contacts
Caitlin Workman
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Environment and Climate Change
819-938-9436
Media Relations
Environment and Climate Change Canada
819-934-8008
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