Possession for the Purpose of Unlawful Export of Endangered Species Nets $8,000 in Fines

BRAMPTON, Ont. -- December 9, 2010 -- Mr. Fadi Najme and his company, 2121063 Ontario Ltd. (Decorland), of Brampton, Ontario, were convicted today in the Ontario Court of Justice after pleading guilty to one count of contravening subsection 8(b) of the Wild Animal and Plant Protection and Regulation of International and Interprovincial Trade Act (WAPPRIITA) for knowingly possessing for the purpose of unlawful export animals listed under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). The court issued an order to the company and Mr. Najme each to pay $4,000 in fines, forfeit the species to the Crown, and report all imports and exports of wildlife (CITES and non-CITES) to Environment Canada Enforcement Branch for two years from the date of conviction.

On March 4, 2010, Environment Canada enforcement officers conducted inspections on one outbound shipment from Lester B. Pearson International Airport and one outbound shipment from the Port of Montreal. Both shipments contained wildlife taxidermy mounts, skin products and other items destined for Lebanon. Environment Canada enforcement officers detained three CITES species--one boa constrictor (Boa constrictor) skin, one lion (Panthera leo spp.) skin, and one full mount of a Canadian lynx (Lynx canadenis). The exporter, Najme, and his company were charged after failing to obtain the required export permits under CITES.

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.