Wild animal and plant trade and protection regulations: 2015 annual report: chapter 3


3.1 Non-detriment findings

Canada Lynx. Photo: © Peter Dollinger
Canada Lynx
Photo: © Peter Dollinger

Countries exporting specimens of species listed in Convention for International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna (CITES) Appendix I or II must provide a scientific determination that such export will not be detrimental to the survival of the species. This determination is referred to as a non-detriment finding (NDF). Some countries, such as the United States and the European Union nations, enforce regulations that are stricter than those of CITES, leading to a higher level of scrutiny by those countries of exporting countries’ exports and NDFs.

In Canada, NDFs are determined on a permit-by-permit basis. For more heavily traded species, a standing NDF report is prepared to serve as the basis for the issuance of export permits for the species involved. Canada has standing NDFs that cover the majority of Canada’s trade including American Ginseng, Atlantic Sturgeon, Black Bear, Bobcat, Canada Lynx, Cougar, Goldenseal, Grey Wolf, Grizzly Bear, Narwhal, Polar Bear, River Otter and Sandhill Crane. The Standing NDF report for polar bear was updated in 2015; however, the NDF decision did not change. The Standing NDF reports are available on ECCC’s website.

Canada’s NDFs are consistent with a Resolution on NDF adopted by the CITES Conference of the Parties at the 16th meeting in March 2013 (Resolution 16.7), international guidance for CITES Scientific Authorities, and guidance provided by the CITES Secretariat. Canada’s species-specific standing NDF reports are developed following a process that involves a federal-provincial/territorial CITES Scientific Authorities working group, as well as participation and review by species experts and Indigenous People.

3.2 Review of Significant Trade in specimens of Appendix II species

Polar bear sighting in Nunavut. Photo: Garry Donaldson © ECCC
Polar bear sighting in Nunavut
Photo: Garry Donaldson © ECCC

The Review of Significant Trade is an ongoing process of the Animals Committee and the Plants Committee of CITES to review trade in wild species listed in Appendix II to ensure trade is not detrimental to the survival of the species. Species on Appendix II are those that are not currently threatened by trade but for which trade needs to be monitored.

At the 28th meeting of the Animals Committee in August 2015, Canada provided information to the Animals Committee for polar bear, as part of the review of significant trade for this species. After discussion, the Animals Committee decided to remove polar bear from the process. Given that Canada is the primary exporter of this species, the removal of polar bear from the review indicates confidence in Canada’s polar bear management and trade.

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