Know the law on wild animal trade – exporters told

Importers and exporters of wild animals have been advised to understand the laws governing the trade to prevent avoidable problems.

“The right thing to do when bringing in or sending out animals is to apply for an export or import permit from the Director of the Ghana Veterinary Services Department,” Dr. Darlington Owusu, the Head of the Airport Veterinary Unit of the Kotoka International Airport told the Ghana News Agency, in an interview in Accra, on Friday.

Dr Owusu said in the case of wild animals, the Wildlife Division required a document called the Cites, which certified the legality of either the export or import.

He said the high demand for all sorts of animals such as scorpions, pythons, snakes and many others by clients from foreign countries had led to a number of people getting involved in the breeding and export of those animals on commercial basis.

Dr. Owusu said whilst that was encouraging, since it served as an outlet for employment, it was important for it to be done within the framework of the law.

He said the laws that governed the import and export of live animals, varied depending on the type of animal.

“Some animals are for example classified as endangered species whilst others are not, and the permit would spell out the laws that govern every specific activity,” he said.

Dr. Owusu said trying to beat the law only created problems for the very offenders.

He said it was important for people to appreciate the fact that the laws basically were supposed to facilitate their activities and promote their various projects.

“If you want to import or export a wild animal, be it for personal or commercial purposes, just go in there, put in your application, and we would help you to do the right thing,” he said.

Source: GNA