Thai government greenlights export of serpents
Turning a New Page on Thailand's Snake Trade
Thailand's cabinet has took a bold step in revoking a decades-old ban on exporting the slithering creatures, aiming to pump up the economy and quell the black market in snakes.
The decision was a go ahead for the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment's proposal to scrap two resolutions from 1990 and 1991 that prohibited export of live snakes and untreated snake skins.
The thought behind this move is to enable the authorized export of domestically bred snakes to satisfy the high global demand. This would generate revenue for local breeders and thwart illegal snake exports by creating a legal channel under tight supervision.
Thailand's domestic snake trade is reported to be worth a whopping 275 million baht yearly, and the export market could mirror this figure, experts predict.
associated businesses include snake feed production (a staggering 180 million baht annually), prey feed (approximately 51 million baht); snake-raising equipment like terrariums (17 million baht); and veterinary care for snakes (6 million baht per year).
To export snakes, permits must be obtained under the Wildlife Preservation and Protection Act 2019 and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). These regulations will put the brakes on any negative impact on the ecosystem, officials said.
The proposal was presented by Environment Minister Chalermchai Sri-on, alongside Veera Kunchairuk, deputy director-general of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation; and Sadudee Punpugdee, director of the Wild Fauna and Flora Protection Division.
A Closer Look:
Thailand's New Export Regulations
Wildlife Preservation and Protection Act 2019:- Exporters of snakes need to secure permits under this Act to ensure their operations are legal and don't cause any harm to Thailand's ecosystems.- This Act provides a framework for supervising and controlling the export process, ensuring it's sustainable and protects wild populations.
Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES):- Since certain snakes may be listed under CITES, exporters must comply with CITES regulations, which necessitate permits confirming international trade won't harm the survival of the species.- This dual permit requirement under both the Wildlife Act and CITES aims to regulate the export strictly and prevent illegal trading of endangered or protected species.
In essence, exporting domestically bred snakes from Thailand now entails stringent adherence to permit regulations under national law and international treaty obligations to ensure ecological protection and legal compliance.
- The exporting of domestically bred snakes in Thailand will require permits under the Wildlife Preservation and Protection Act 2019, ensuring the operations are legal, sustainable, and protect wild populations.
- Exporters also need to follow CITES regulations, as certain snakes may be listed under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), which requires permits to prevent international trade from harming the survival of the species.
- Thailand's new export regulations aim to straitjacket the process, as exporters need to secure permits under both the Wildlife Act and CITES to regulate the trade and prevent illegal trading of endangered or protected species.
- The generated income from the legal export of snakes is expected to boost the finance sector and other associated businesses like snake feed production, prey feed, snake-raising equipment, and veterinary care for snakes.
