Mexico Bans the
Import, Export and Re-Export of Marine Mammals and Primates
Mexico City,
Mexico (January 27, 2006) - Today Mexico's Official Diary of
the Federation published the final Decree
by which Mexico institutes a ban on the import, export, and
re-export of marine mammals and primates for
commercial purposes. The ban also prevents the live
capture of primates except under special circumstances.
This ban
took three years of hard work by our friends and colleagues at
COMARINO (Conservation of Marine Mammals in Mexico), Dr.
Yolanda Alaniz and Laura Rojas. Biologist Diego Cobo
Terrazas, former President of the Environmental Commission of
the Chamber of Representatives introduced the bill in 2003.
The bill passed through Mexico's Lower Chamber but stalled in
the Senate due to intense lobbying efforts by the captive
industry. It took years of relentless persistence to
push the bill's passage in the Senate.
On January
26th, President Vincent Fox signed the decree into law.
Thanks to the
efforts of dedicated animal advocates, the lives of many
thousands of animals have been saved. AWI has sent
letters of thanks to Senor Cobo and
President Fox.
Dr. Alaniz and COMARINO are celebrated in the upcoming
AWI Quarterly.
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Translation
of Decree
VICENTE FOX
QUESADA, President of the Mexican United States, makes
inhabitants known that:
The
Honorable Congress of the Union, has served to direct to me
the following DECREE:
THE GENERAL
CONGRESS OF THE MEXICAN UNITED STATES, DECREES: AN ARTICLE BE
ADDED TO THE GENERAL LAW OF WILDLIFE
As follows:
Article 55:
Prohibits the importation, exportation and re-exportation of
specimens of any species of marine mammal and primate, as well
as parts and derivatives, with the exception of those destined
for scientific investigation, subject to the authorization of
the Office of the Secretary.
Article 60:
No specimen of any species of primate will be able to be
subject of removal from the wild, either for subsistence or
commercial purposes. Capture would only be authorized for
activities of restoration, repopulation and for purposes of
species reintroduction in their natural habitat. |
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