Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities Annual Report 2011–12

Live imports

The List of Specimens Taken to be Suitable for Live Import (the ‘live import list’) specifies all species and specimens that may be imported live into Australia. If a species is not listed then live specimens cannot be legally imported, even if the species has previously been imported or is already known to be in Australia. Anyone can apply to the minister to amend the live import list to include a new species. The applicant must provide a report that assesses the risks that the species may pose to the Australian environment. Each species proposed for inclusion on the live import list is the subject of a detailed assessment, including public consultation.

In 2011–12, eight amendments to the list were approved by the minister. These included the tropical rock lobster (Panulirus ornatus) for commercial purposes, cone snails (Conus spp.) for research, and the Aldabra giant tortoise (Aldabrachelys gigantea) for zoo exhibition. Two biological control agents were added to the live import list: Hylaeogena jureceki (leaf-mining jewel beetle) for the control of cat’s claw creeper; and Aceria lantanae (lantana bud mite) for the control of lantana. A further 10 insect species were approved for import into secure quarantine facilities and only for biological control research.

A range of corrections and taxonomic updates were also approved in 2011–12, including updating the scientific name of the domestic dog (Canis lupus familiaris).

Ten new applications to amend the live import list were received during 2011–12, five of which related to research into potential biological control. Eight of the applications are still under assessment, and two were withdrawn by the applicants, including an application for the import of a silver fox as a pet. This application drew significant public attention, and support for ministerial refusal of the import of this animal. In relation to this application, it should be emphasised that the EPBC Act does not provide any mechanism for the minister to reject an application without undertaking the full risk assessment and public consultation processes required by the Act.

Sustainable wildlife industries

Approval can be given provided the specimens have been derived from an approved captive breeding program, artificial propagation program, aquaculture program, wildlife trade operation, or a wildlife trade management plan.

The following wildlife programs were approved in 2011–12:

• 
  three captive breeding programs
  
• 
  three new and 14 revised artificial propagation programs
  
• 
  one aquaculture program
  
• 
  seven individual wildlife trade operations (non-fisheries)
  
• 
  one wildlife trade management plan.
  

Wildlife trade permits

Under Part 13A of the EPBC Act it is an offence to import or export CITES specimens, export regulated native specimens, and import regulated live specimens, unless a permit has been issued or the import/export is covered by an exemption under the EPBC Act.

In 2011–12 the department issued 1855 permits for the import/export of regulated specimens in the above categories. One thousand five hundred and forty permits were issued for CITES specimens, 289 permits for the export of regulated native specimens and 26 permits for the import of live specimens. The number of personal accompanied baggage permits issued was 13529.

The department issued 140 non-commercial wildlife trade permits to scientists for a range of research purposes, including for importing blue whale DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) from the United States and exporting echidna tissue samples to Canada.

Fisheries assessment and approvals

Under the EPBC Act the department assesses the environmental performance of management arrangements for fisheries in order to ensure that fisheries are managed in an ecologically sustainable way and to identify areas for improvement. All Commonwealth-managed fisheries and all state and territory fisheries with an export component must undergo assessment.

A total of 109 fisheries are declared as either exempt from the export provisions of the EPBC Act for up to five years, or as approved wildlife trade operations for periods of up to three years.

Of the 27 fisheries comprehensively assessed in 2011–12, two were Commonwealth-managed and 25 were state-managed. All were assessed within statutory timeframes. Thirteen fisheries were approved as wildlife trade operations and 14 were exempt from the export provisions of the EPBC Act.

As a result of this assessment process, conditions and recommendations were agreed between the department and the management agencies for these fisheries. The agencies are required to demonstrate improved environmental performance, and to actively enhance the ecologically sustainable management of fisheries in the short to medium term. The outcomes are published in detailed reports on the department’s website at .

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