OTTAWA, Ont. -- July 26, 2012 -- The Honourable Peter Kent, Canada's Minister of the Environment, announced today the signature of an agreement with the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL) to assist with capacity building of wildlife law enforcement around the world. Under the agreement, Environment Canada is sharing customized wildlife officer training courses with INTERPOL on the illegal trade in endangered species with a focus on Africa.
"The illegal trade in endangered species is a worldwide problem," said Minister Kent. "By sharing Canadian expertise with INTERPOL, we help keep important species like rhinoceroses and elephants alive in their range states, which prevents ivory and other products from being smuggled to market countries."
Environment Canada developed training for INTERPOL that includes: law enforcement theory, human rights, inspections, search and seizure, investigations and prosecutions as well as intelligence gathering. It begins with a pre-course study package followed by an intense six day in-class program and culminates with the integration of the participants into a real investigation.
A pilot training course was first delivered to officers from eleven African countries in Gaborone, Botswana in 2011. Today's agreement enables Environment Canada to provide English and French versions of the training courses for INTERPOL, which will help build law enforcement capacity in Africa and elsewhere.
Environment Canada is responsible for applying federal laws that protect endangered species, migratory birds and their habitats. INTERPOL, headquartered in Lyon, France, is comprised of 190 member countries working together to prevent and fight crime worldwide.
For more information, please contact:
Adam Sweet
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of the Environment
819-997-1441
Media Relations
Environment Canada
819-934-8008
