Wild animal and plant trade and protection act 2017 annual report: chapter 1

1.  Introduction

1.1. Purpose of the annual report

This report fulfills the Minister of the Environment’s obligation, under section 28 of the Wild Animal and Plant Protection and Regulation of International and Interprovincial Trade Act (WAPPRIITA), to report annually on the administration of the act. This report covers the administration of the act for the year 2017.

This section provides background information on WAPPRIITA and outlines the responsibilities of Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) in administering the act. Subsequent sections discuss the following:

1.2. WAPPRIITA and CITES

WAPPRIITA and the Wild Animal and Plant Trade Regulations:

WAPPRIITA’s main purpose is to protect certain species of animals and plants, by implementing CITES, regulating international and interprovincial trade in animals and plants, and safeguarding Canadian ecosystems from the introduction of harmful species.

The act applies to species whose trade is controlled once listed on the schedules in the Wild Animal and Plant Trade Regulations, which include:

1.2.1. Wild Animal and Plant Trade Regulations (WAPTR)

Species whose trade is controlled in Canada are listed on the three schedules of the WAPTR:

1.3. Responsibilities in administering WAPPRIITA

ECCC is responsible for administering WAPPRIITA, and is the designated Management Authority and Scientific Authority for the purpose of CITES.

As the Management Authority, ECCC has overall responsibility for verifying and validating requests for international trade of specimens of animals and plants that are regulated under CITES originating from or destined for Canada. This responsibility includes activities such as issuing CITES permits and certificates. As the Scientific Authority, ECCC has overall responsibility in Canada for determining whether or not international trade of a species is detrimental to the survival of the species. This responsibility includes monitoring the international trade of wild animals and plants to and from Canada to ensure that current levels of trade are sustainable.

Fisheries and Oceans Canada is responsible for the issuance of permits and validation of export requests for specimens of CITES-listed aquatic species. Natural Resources Canada serves as an advisor on CITES issues related to timber and tree species. Further information on the roles and responsibilities of federal departments in the implementation and administration of CITES can be found online.

Enforcement of WAPPRIITA is overseen by ECCC and carried out in cooperation with other federal agencies, such as the Canada Border Services Agency, and with provincial and territorial wildlife agencies. Customs officials play an important role at ports of entry, manually verifying and validating permits, and referring shipments to ECCC personnel as required for inspection.

ECCC maintains enforcement agreements and memoranda of understanding with Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut. Under the agreements and memoranda of understanding, these four provinces and two territories are responsible for enforcing WAPPRIITA with respect to interprovincial wildlife trade within their jurisdiction, while ECCC oversees the enforcement of WAPPRIITA for international trade.