Friday, September 10, 2010

Alien Species Conviction In BC

They May Look All Cute And Kitten Like
But They Do GROW UP
FIRST CONVICTION UNDER B.C.’S NEW ALIEN SPECIES LAW

Calling it a step in the right direction, Environment Minister Barry Penner has announced the first-ever conviction under B.C.’s alien species regulation introduced last year.

Kim Carlton pleaded guilty in B.C. provincial court in Williams Lake on Sept. 8, 2010 to one count of possession of controlled alien species contrary to the B.C. Wildlife Act.

The conviction stems from an investigation by the Ministry of Environment’s Conservation Officer Service that culminated in the March 2010 seizure of two lion cubs from Carlton. The cubs were relocated to an accredited wildlife facility for safe care.

In 2008, the B.C. government introduced legislation to amend the B.C. Wildlife Act to provide authority for regulations restricting the possession of species that pose the most serious threats to public safety. These include some types of mammals, amphibians and reptiles.

A regulation was then enacted in 2009, which includes a list of species that individuals are prohibited from possessing unless the animal was in B.C. prior to March 16, 2009. The regulation also includes restrictions on possessing, breeding, transporting and releasing animals in British Columbia.

Violations can result in fines as high as $250,000 and/or up to two years of imprisonment.

            More information about controlled alien species is available at the Ministry of Environment website: using this Nanaimo Info LINK.

Comment: When I first read the heading about 'Alien Species Act', I thought " Finally! someone is going to do something about Canadian politics!". :^)

allvoices

No comments:

Post a Comment

Your comment will appear after moderation before publishing,

Thank you for your comments.Any comment that could be considered slanderous or includes unacceptable language will be removed.

Thank you for participating and making your opinions known.

Note: only a member of this blog may post a comment.