Canadian import laws update

This information was forwarded to me and I thought I'd pass it onto the forum family. It looks like my neighbors to the north are going to crack down on the aquarium imports by the end of this year:
Currently there are no permits or other license requirements with respect to the importation and movement of tropical or ornamental fish species into Canada; however amendments are being made to the Health of Animals regulations that will in the future require all aquatic animals (this includes finfish, molluscs and crustaceans) to have an import permit to enter Canada. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is currently in the process of consulting on the proposed regulatory changes that will be required to establish an import/export program. It is anticipated that these regulations will become law hopefully by the end of 2008.
So at this time ornamental species do not require any permits for importation. Once the CFIA regulatory amendments become law there will be permit requirements. Please note exemptions have been proposed for personal pet fish (limited number) and there is a proposed list of susceptible finfish species which includes tropical and ornamental fishes that will be specifically regulated.
For more information on the aquatic animal health program and to receive advisories and updates, please sign up to the list serve address attached to the signature box. If you have any further questions please feel free to contact me directly.
Sincerely
Dr. Joanne Constantine
Veterinary Program Specialist
Import/Export
Aquatic Animal Health Division
8 Colonnade Road
Ottawa Ontario
K1A 0Y9
(613) 221-1469
**For notification of updates to the CFIA NAAHP website, sign up for
the e-mail subscription list at
http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/too ... shtml?aqua