Wildlife trade and conservation
The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) provides the legislative framework for the protection of the Australian environment and the conservation of its biodiversity. A major purpose of the EPBC Act is to regulate the export and import of live wildlife, wildlife specimens and products made or derived from wildlife.
The EPBC Act controls the export of most Australian native animals and plants. It also fulfils Australia's legislative requirements as a party to the international Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). Controls apply to transactions undertaken by commercial and non-commercial organisations and individuals. Read more about CITES
The import and export of CITES Appendix I listed specimens to zoos or wildlife parks must be for the purpose of conservation breeding. Section 303FF of the EPBC Act states that a conservation breeding permit cannot be issued unless the animal is going into an approved cooperative conservation program for that species.
The Department of the Environment and Water Resources is developing new guidelines and an application form for approval of a cooperative conservation program. Copies of interim guidelines and application form are available by contacting the Wildlife Trade Assessments Section.
Phone: (02) 6274 2400
Email: wta@environment.gov.au