COMMERCIAL WHOLESALERS FINED FOR ILLEGALLY IMPORTING PROTECTED GOODS INTO
CANADA

VANCOUVER, Dec. 6 /CNW/ - Sun 2006 Import and Export Ltd. pleaded guilty in British Columbia Provincial Court for an offence related to an unlawful import under the Wild Animal and Plant Protection and Regulation of International and Interprovincial Trade Act (WAPPRIITA).

A Vancouver commercial wholesaler of traditional Asian medicinal products, Sun 2006 Import and Export Ltd was sentenced to pay $100,000 for unlawfully importing an orchid species (Dendrobium) considered threatened under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). Other species or animal derivatives seized during the investigation and ordered forfeit by the Crown included Tree Fern (Cibotium Barometz), orchid (Blettilla), African elephant (Elephantidae), monkey (Primates), bear (Ursidae) and crocodile (Crocodyllians).

Environment Canada's Enforcement Branch charged Sun 2006 Import and Export Ltd. on May 28, 2010 after an intensive year-long investigation. 

As part of the fine, the judge directed that Sun 2006 Import and Export Ltd. pay $95,000 to the Government of Canada for the express purpose of refining genomic or other DNA research methods. Improving methods of identifying endangered species and their parts or derivatives will help deter this illegal trade.

CITES is an international agreement of 175 member countries, which accords varying degrees of protection to more than 30,000 species of animals and plants, as well as their parts and derivatives, to ensure that international trade in these species does not threaten their survival. Canada has been a member party to CITES since its inception in 1975.

Environment Canada enforcement officers investigate potential offences under a number of Acts and Regulations including the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999; the Species at Risk Act the pollution prevention provisions of the Fisheries Act; the Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994; Wild Animal and Plant Protection and Regulation of International and Interprovincial Trade Act They help ensure that companies, government departments and agencies and the general public comply with legislation and regulations that protect Canada's environment.

(Également offert en français)                                                       

For further information:

Media Relations
Environment Canada
819-934-8008
1-888-908-8008