Provisional Translation
| OTO No. | 585 | Classification | MITI-135 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of Acceptance | December 4, 1998 | Ministry/Agency Receiving Complaint | Economic Planning Agency |
| Responsible Ministries | Ministry of International Trade and Industry | Related Laws | Washington Convention |
| Complainant | Domestic firm | Exporting Countries | UK |
| Subject | Clarification of specific procedures relating to the import of snakes raised and reproduced for commercial purposes, and of reasons for prohibition on sale | ||
| Details of Measures | Description of Complaint: 1. Based on the rules for exceptions (Clause 7, Article 4) of the Washington Convention, when the complainant asked for details concerning import procedures for snakes, which supposedly can be imported into Japan if accompanied by an export license from the exporting country, staff at the ministry concerned, the Ministry of International Trade and Industry, failed to give a clear answer concerning import procedures, etc. and also answered to the effect that although snakes may be imported, they may not be sold, and gave no clear reason as to why this was so. 2. Accordingly, the complainant believes that the ministry should indicate specific import procedures and give reasons why snakes are not allowed to be sold. The ministry replied as follows: 1. Certain procedures are necessary for importing plants or animals species in danger of extinction, as listed in Appendix I of the Washington Convention, based on the import list (import quotas for plants and animals and processed products from them covered under the Washington Convention) officially announced on April 2, 1998. All the species of snake (belonging to the Madagascar boa family) the complainant wishes to import are listed in Appendix I of the Washington Convention. 2. In this complaint, the source of the snakes the complaint wishes to import has been ascertained to be "non-commercial, and reproduced in the course of raising, " according to the decision of the council for contracting the Washington Convention. Since the Washington Convention bans commercial trade in species originating from such sources, import of the snakes in question for commercial purposes is not permitted, except if the complainant has undertaken to import them on behalf of a zoo, etc. for purposes of reproduction. |
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| Classification of Processing | Cc | Directions | IV |
| Remarks | |||