Dubai: The Ministry of Environment and Water foiled an attempt to smuggle falcons and bustards.
The ministry which worked in close cooperation with the coast guards was able to foil an attempt to smuggle in falcons and bustards.
Boarder inspection teams in cooperation with coast guards were able to get hold of five falcons and 10 bustards in an attempt to smuggle them into the country, which is against the UAE laws and regulations related to international extinct, threatened animal trade and the Vet Quarantine Law.
The shipment had no official documents or health certificates stipulated in Law No 11 for 2002 to regulate and control international trade in wild flora and fauna at risk of extinction.
The shipment was held at the Ministry of Environment's Vet Quarantine, as a first step towards the necessary procedures and lab examination of the confiscated animals to make sure they are disease free and to tag them with microchips for reference.
The ministry stressed the importance of a Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (Cites) document, to accompany any animal or plant shipments, while exporting or re-exporting.
The measure is applied to guarantee safeguarding the UAE against diseases and to step up the UAE's biological security and safety against diseases that affect animals and birds that are closely associated with humans.
The Ministry also clarified that any law violation in this respect will lead to a jail sentence of no more than six months and a fine from Dh10,000 up to Dh50,000.
Endangered species
The UAE signed the Cites agreement in 1990. The Cites agreement aims to protect endangered species of fauna and flora by regulating and monitoring international trade in them.
Protected species covered by Cites are classified into three groups according to the level of threat they face. Import and export of live specimens, of their parts or of products derived from them is either banned or else permitted only with special authorisation.
