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Biodiversity

Wildlife trade

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Approved sources of wildlife for trade

• Approved sources
• Application forms

The international movement of wildlife and wildlife products for commercial purposes is regulated under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. Commercial trade in specimens derived from regulated native species, CITES listed species or the import of regulated live plants and animals for commercial purposes may be allowed provided the specimens have been derived from an approved source. Companies that trade commercially in wildlife or wildlife products must ensure that they can demonstrate that their products have been derived from an approved source or are exempt from the provisions of the Act.

Note: The export of live native amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals for commercial purposes is prohibited although these may be eligible for export for non-commercial purposes.

Commercial exports of regulated native species

The Act provides that export of specimens derived from a regulated native species for commercial purposes may occur only if it is derived from one of these sources:

• Approved captive breeding programs
• Approved artificial propagation programs
• Approved aquaculture programs
• Approved wildlife trade operations
• Approved wildlife trade management plans
• Accredited wildlife trade management plans

Declarations listed on the approved source registers are in force until their expiry date. If you require information on declarations that have previously been in force under the EPBC Act but now expired, please contact the Wildlife Trade Assessments Section on wsm@environment.gov.au.

Activities already approved as management programs or declared to be controlled specimens under the former Wildlife Protection (Regulation of Exports and Imports) Act 1982 will continue to operate under the EPBC Act. Exports under all of the new categories require an export permit from the Department of the Environment and Heritage, except for accredited wildlife trade management plans.

If you wish to have your wildlife harvesting, captive breeding, artificial propagation or aquaculture operation approved in order to be eligible to export specimens commercially, you will need to complete and lodge an application form.

• Application for approval of wildlife program

Commercial imports and exports of CITES listed species

Specimens of CITES listed species may be imported or exported for commercial purposes provided they have been derived from an

• Approved CITES registered captive breeding program (Appendix I animals)
• Artificially propagated plants (Appendix I and II plants)
• Animals bred in captivity (Appendix II animals) or
• Approved commercial import programs (Appendix II plants and animals and aquaculture)

Note: Commercial export of CITES listed live native mammals, birds, reptiles or amphibians is not permitted.

Specimens of plants and animals listed on Appendix III may be imported for commercial purposes provided a relevant CITES authority in the country of export has given permission for the export.

Commercial imports of live plants and animals

Australia has suffered both economic loss and environmental damage from the introduction of live non-native plants and animals that have become weeds or feral pests. The EPBC Act provides for the identification and listing of non-native plants and animals that may be suitable for importing as live specimens. The list is divided into two parts - unregulated species that may be imported without a permit and regulated species that may be imported subject to certain conditions and the issuance of a permit.

If you propose to import live animals or plants for commercial purposes you should determine whether the species is regulated or not under the EPBC Act. These restrictions are additional to the requirements for the import of CITES listed specimens.

• List of specimens suitable for live import

Commercial imports of non-native species not listed under CITES

Approval under the EPBC Act is not required for commercial imports of dead specimens of plants and animals that are not native to Australia and are not listed under CITES. You may, however, be required to demonstrate that your specimens are in fact from non-listed species. In addition, you should ensure that you have met any applicable quarantine requirements prior to import.