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May 15, 2006
Subject:
Update on Trade Restrictions for Queen Conch (Strombus
gigas).
Background: On September 20, 2003, the
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service notified the trade community that the U.S.
would no longer allow the import of queen conch (live, dead, meat, shells,
and other parts and products) from Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Dominica,
the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Honduras, and Trinidad and Tobago. These
CITES restrictions were put in place because the countries failed to satisfy
the CITES Parties that the required non-detriment findings were being
made when issuing permits for queen conch.
On May 12, 2006, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service received notice from
CITES that six of the seven countries (Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados,
Dominica, the Dominican Republic, Honduras, and Trinidad and Tobago) have
implemented the actions required by CITES. In addition, the notification
indicates that CITES is unable to determine if Grenada has complied with
the CITES actions and therefore, Grenada is unable to satisfy the CITES
Parties that they are making the required non-detriment findings.
Action: Effective May 12, 2006, the United
States will allow the import of queen conch from Antigua and Barbuda,
Barbados, Dominica, the Dominican Republic, Honduras, and Trinidad and
Tobago. The United States will continue to prohibit the import of queen
conch (live, dead, meat, shells, and other parts and products) from Haiti.
Effective May 12, 2006, the United States will no longer allow the import
of queen conch from Grenada. The restrictions for Haiti and Grenada apply
to all commercial and noncommercial imports of queen conch, including
tourist souvenirs and personal effects. All such shipments are subject
to seizure and forfeiture.
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