Wild animal and plant trade and protection regulations 2016 annual report: chapter 3

Official title: Wild Animal and Plant Protection and Regulation of International and Interprovincial Trade Act 2016 Annual Report: Chapter 3

3 Assessing the risk to species from trade

3.1 Non-detriment findings

Countries exporting specimens of species listed in CITES Appendix I or II must provide a scientific determination that such export will not be detrimental to the survival of the species. This determination is referred to as a non-detriment finding (NDF). Some countries, such as the United States and member countries of the European Union, enforce regulations that are stricter than those of CITES, leading to a higher level of scrutiny by those countries of exporting countries' exports and NDFs.

In Canada, NDFs are determined on a permit-by-permit basis. For more heavily traded species, a standing NDF report isprepared to serve as the basis for the issuance of export permits for the species involved. Canada has standing NDFs that cover the majority of Canada's trade including American Ginseng, Atlantic Sturgeon, Black Bear, Bobcat, Canada Lynx, Cougar, Goldenseal, Grey Wolf, Grizzly Bear, Narwhal, Polar Bear, River Otter and Sandhill Crane. The standing NDF report for polar bear was updated in 2015; however, the NDF conclusion did not change. Standing NDF reports are reviewed and, if necessary, updated with the most recent information every three years. These standing NDF reports are available online.

Canada's NDFs are consistent with a Resolution on NDF adopted by the CITES Conference of the Parties at the 16th meeting in March 2013 (Resolution 16.7), international guidance for CITES Scientific Authorities, and guidance provided by the CITES Secretariat. Canada's species-specific standing NDF reports are developed following a process that involves a federal-provincial/territorial CITES Scientific Authorities working group, as well as participation and review by species experts and Indigenous Peoples.