I know I already asked about this before, but now I have a
partial solution to the problems encountered with importing/exporting
CP's on the CITES II appendix from the U.S. to Canada and vice versa.
This should apply to other countries as well, but check with your local
wildlife service.
1. Exporting CP's on Appendix II from the U.S. to Canada: If
you are shipping plants, propagules, seeds, etc. of these species (eg:
most Sarracenia, VFT) you will need an U.S. export permit available from
the United States Department of Agriculture. I've been told that there
is a cost for this permit, so you may want to check first.
Another place to obtain export permits from in the U.S. is from
the following address:
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
Plant Protection and Quarantine
Federal Building, Room 634
Hyattsville, Maryland
20782
I've been told that this address is still valid. Is anyone in
disagreeance?
2. Bringing in these CP's from the U.S. to Canada: Agriculture
Canada does not deal with these plants directly. However, they provide
a service to Environment Canada and the Canadian Wildlife Service in that
they will identify plants and propagules. If you send plants from the
U.S. to Canada already potted up, you will require a phytosanitary
certificate to present to Agriculture Canada (they're worried about crop
diseases). You can avoid the need for this permit by sending the plants
bare-rooted.
3. Exporting CP's listed on CITES II appendix from Canada to the
U.S.: I was told that to do this, a permit from Environment Resource
Management is required. This is a 'basic' CITES form on which you
indicate the intended plants to be exported. This then has to be signed
and approved by a CITES official. The main administrator of CITES is
located within Ottawa at the Canadian Wildlife Service. The phone number
is (819) 953-1415.
4. Importing or exporting CITES I CP's: This requires a bit
more. Both export and import permits are required by the parties in
question. Import permits for Canadians are again available from the
Canadian Wildlife Service or the Environment Resource Management officials.
However, I've been told by Environment Canada officials that CITES I
plants can not be imported to Canada except for scientific study. I'm
currently trying to resolve this and any comments are welcome.
I hope this helps in getting people started on the somewhat
painful process of exporting and importing CP's. I will post further
updates later on. If anyone has anything to add or comment on, please
feel free. I'm not claiming any credit. I know that some of these
addresses are posted on web pages (see Barry's web page for more details
on CITES). I'm just trying to make it a bit easier for trade between
Canada and the U.S., and for other countries for that matter. Still,
even the officials have conflicting views on what needs to be done to
properly export and import CP's.
When I first started inquiring, I was
met with comments of amazement "what? There's plants on the CITES
appendices?". I still have a ways to go as I still need the permits and
a 'trial run' as it were. I'll keep everyone posted. Hope this helps,
especially the Canadians who this was mainly aimed at.
Chris Teichreb
Department of Biology
University of Regina
Regina, Saskatchewan, CANADA
S4S 0A2
E-mail: teichrch@Meena.CC.URegina.CA