Endangered species of plants and animals illegally imported as souvenirs from far-off countries

Orchids, coral jewellery, shells, turtle oil, snakeskin bags...

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Many holiday resorts offer for sale a large number of souvenirs made of raw materials which have been procured illegally and the export of which into Finland is banned. Nevertheless, such items are quite often found among tourists’ souvenirs from far-off countries.
      The import of endangered species of plants and animals is the greatest individual violation of customs regulations in Finland, reports Senior Customs Inspector Jarkko Keskinen.
     
Travellers bring home forbidden animals, plants or products made of banned materials - frequently unawares but very often without consideration.
      The Customs celebrated International Customs Day on Monday, reminding travellers of the import and export restrictions.
      The theme of International Customs Day this year was the Customs and environmental protection.
     
The aim of import restrictions is to prevent harmful and dangerous substances, diseases, and pests from spreading into the envivonment of Finland and the European Union. In order to protect the environment of Finland, the import and export of wild Finnish plants and animals are also restricted.
      The purpose of the import restrictions on timber and wooden packing material is to keep away pests.
      For example, pinewood nematodes (Bursaphelenchus xylophilus) could cause massive damage if they found their way into Finnish forests.
      Nematodes have caused extensive destruction in forests in North America and Asia. The problem has not appeared in Finnish forests yet, but in September, a few were found in packaging that had arrived from Portugal.
     
The import and export of endangered species is subject to a licence, as trading could put in danger the conservation of species.
      For example several orchids, cactuses, corals, items made of precious wood, parrots, and snakes as well as items made of any parts of elephants, big cats, and crocodiles all require an import licence.
      Furthermore, several products belonging to the traditional Chinese medicine contain parts of endangered species, while ornaments made of tropical wood can originate from illegal felling activities.
      A coral or a shell can belong to an endangered species. Moreover, leather from an endangered lizard could have been used for shoes, handbags, or for the frames of glasses.
     
The import, export, trade, and possession of endangered species are supervised under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
      The aim of the CITES convention is to ensure that illicit trading in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival.

More on this subject:
 FACTFILE: Chemicals, foodstuffs, seeds, wooden boxes

Previously in HS International Edition:
  Pinewood nematode could cause massive damage in Finnish forests (16.10.2008)

Links:
  Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora

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