OTTAWA,
August 29, 2006 – Environment Canada has laid
14 charges against Wing Quon Enterprises Ltd.
for allegedly importing CITES (Convention on International
Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and
Flora) specimens without the required permits
and for unlawfully possessing and distributing
medicines containing Tiger, Bear, Pangolin, Musk
Deer and Rhinoceros derivatives.
The company has been charged
with three counts of importing CITES controlled
plant species without a permit in contravention
of Section 6(2) of the Wild Animal and Plant Protection
and Regulation of International and Interprovincial
Trade Act (WAPPRIITA). The company has also been
charged with nine counts under Section 8(a) of
the Act for unlawful possession of medicines containing
Tiger, Bear, Pangolin, Musk Deer and Rhinoceros
derivatives and two counts under Section 8(c)
of the Act related to the distribution of medicines
containing Tiger and Rhinoceros.
Environment Canada laid charges
against Wing Quon Enterprises Ltd. on July 7,
2006, following an investigation by the Wildlife
Enforcement Division.
CITES is an international agreement
to regulate trade in specific species of wild
animals and plants, as well as their respective
parts and derivatives. Environment Canada is the
lead agency responsible for CITES implementation
in Canada. WAPPRIITA is the legislation used to
implement CITES in Canada. Offences under WAPPRIITA
are punishable on summary conviction by a fine
not exceeding $50,000 or imprisonment for a term
not exceeding six months, or both. Further information
on CITES and WAPPRIITA may be found at www.cites.ec.gc.ca.
Marko Goluza / Robin Barcham
