Wildlife trade and conservation
The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 regulates the commercial export of most wild harvested native plants and animals (including their products) from Australia. The Act also bans the export for commercial purposes of live native vertebrate animals, except fish.
Wild harvested specimens may be harvested after the appropriate permits have been obtained under a Management Program. A Management Program or Controlled Specimen Program may not be declared unless legislation relating to the protection, conservation or management of the animals or plants is in force throughout the State or Territory and, in the opinion of the Minister, the legislation is effective.
Management Programs generally are required for larger, more established harvesting proposals. For Management Programs, the Minister must be ‘satisfied’ that certain criteria are met when making a decision. The existence of effective State/Territory legislation on the conservation and management of a species is a requirement for the declaration of Management Programs.
Controlled Specimen declarations are used for smaller start up operations where less information is available on the biology and ecology of the species in question. For Controlled Specimen Programs, certain criteria only must be ‘taken into account’ by the Minister when making a decision. The requirement for effective State/Territory conservation legislation may be waived for Controlled Specimens in special circumstances.
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