Proposal to Amend Endangered Species (Import and Export) Act to Increase Penalties for Wildlife Trafficking, Trade and Possession Offences and Tighten Regulations for Shipments in Transit

Mr Louis Ng Kok Kwang asked the Minister for National Development (a) whether the Ministry will consider amending the Endangered Species (Import and Export) Act to increase penalties for wildlife trafficking, trade and possession offences and to tighten the regulation for shipments in transit; (b) whether the Ministry will put any such proposed amendments through a public consultation; and (c) if so, what is the timeline for the introduction of such a Bill.

MND and NParks have been reviewing the Endangered Species (Import and Export) Act (ESA) to ensure that it remains effective in supporting Singapore’s regulation of the trade in wildlife species protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). We intend to strengthen our regulation of the trade in CITES species, enhance penalties, and augment NParks’ investigatory and enforcement powers for wildlife trade offences.

As part of the review, MND and NParks have consulted several stakeholders on the proposed amendments to the ESA. These stakeholders include traders, shipping companies, industry associations, academics and non-profit organisations such as the Animal Concerns Research & Education Society (ACRES), World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Singapore, and TRAFFIC. We will carry out a public consultation exercise on the proposed amendments soon. When ready, we will introduce a Bill in Parliament to amend the ESA.