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Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations

Wildlife Act Review

Controlled Alien Species Regulation

Information for the Film Industry and Circuses in Possession of Controlled Alien Species

  • What is considered  Film Industry ?
    For the purposes of the Controlled Alien Species Regulation, Ministry of Environment's Fish and Wildlife Branch considers the film industry to include those involved in providing entertainment by means of print, television, and/or commercial film.
  • What is considered  Commercial film ?
    For the purposes of the Controlled Alien Species Regulation, Ministry of Environment's Fish and Wildlife Branch considers commercial film to include all images captured on film, videotape, disk or by others means undertaken with the intent of monetary return or for use as public educational, entertainment, promotional, or advertising material.
  • What is considered a  Circus ?
    For the purposes of the Controlled Alien Species Regulation, Ministry of Environment's Fish and Wildlife Branch considers a circus to include any company of performers providing entertainment that may include the use of Controlled Alien Species.
  • Do circuses or the film industry require permits to possess Controlled Alien Species?
    Yes, they require permits.
  • What is required by the film industry if they require the use of a Controlled Alien Species?
    If the Controlled Alien Species resides in B.C., the owner of the animal must apply for, and obtain a Personal Use Permit, and the film industry must apply for, and obtain a Non-Personal Use Permit.

    If the Controlled Alien Species does not reside in B.C., the film industry must apply for, and obtain a permit to possess a Transitory Controlled Alien Species Permit. The terms of this permit dictate that the Controlled Alien Species can remain in B.C. only for a short period time, and then must leave B.C. within a specified time frame.
  • What is required by a circus if they require the use of a Controlled Alien Species?
    If the Controlled Alien Species resides in B.C., the owner of the animal must apply for, and obtain a Personal Use Permit, and the circus company must apply for, and obtain a Non-Personal Use Permit.

    If the Controlled Alien Species does not reside in B.C., the circus company must apply for, and obtain a permit to possess a Transitory Controlled Alien Species Permit. The terms of this permit dictate that the Controlled Alien Species can remain in B.C. only for a short period time, and then must leave B.C. within a specified time frame.
  • What activities will the film industry be able to continue?
    • Possession of Controlled Alien Species accompanied with a Personal Use Permit and Non-Personal Use Permit; or
    • Temporary possession of Controlled Alien Species accompanied with a Transitory Possession Permit
    • Shipping and transporting of Controlled Alien Species within B.C., accompanied with the permit
    • Transporting/transferring of Controlled Alien Species into B.C. on a temporary basis
    NOTE: It is the obligation of the both the film industry and the individual owners of the Controlled Alien Species to comply with any Controlled Alien Species municipal bylaws.
  • What activities will circuses be able to continue?
    • Possession of Controlled Alien Species accompanied with a Personal Use Permit and Non-Personal Use Permit; or
    • Temporary possession of Controlled Alien Species accompanied with a Transitory Possession Permit
    • Shipping and transporting of Controlled Alien Species within B.C., accompanied with the permit
    • Transporting/transferring of Controlled Alien Species into B.C. on a temporary basis
    • Exhibiting of Controlled Alien Species as part of their performance
    NOTE: It is the obligation of the both the circus company and the individual owners of the Controlled Alien Species to comply with any Controlled Alien Species municipal bylaws.
  • What activities will the film industry be PROHIBITED from doing?
    • Breeding Controlled Alien Species
    • Releasing Controlled Alien Species
    • Exhibiting Controlled Alien Species
  • What activities will circuses be PROHIBITED from doing?
    • Breeding Controlled Alien Species
    • Releasing Controlled Alien Species
  • What are the penalties for offences?
    The penalties associated with breeding or releasing for a first time offender are:
    • fines ranging from $2,500 to a maximum of $250,000; or
    • a term of imprisonment not exceeding two years; or
    • both a fine and a sentence.
    The penalties for possession for a first time offender are:
    • fines up to a maximum of $100,000; or
    • a term of imprisonment of one year; or
    • both a fine and a sentence.
  • What about municipal bylaws?
    There are over twenty local governments in British Columbia that have bylaws dealing with controlled alien species. It is the obligation of the both the film industry operators and the individual owners of the Controlled Alien Species to comply with any Controlled Alien Species municipal bylaws.
  • How much will a permit cost?
    There is currently no charge for permits.
  • When can the film industry and circuses apply for their possession permits?
    The Permit Authorization Service Bureau will accept applications for permits after November 1, 2009. To ensure compliance with this Regulation, and to obtain your permit before the April 1, 2010 deadline, we suggest you submit your application before February 1, 2010.

All owners of Controlled Alien Species will require a permit by April 1, 2010.

Key Dates

November 1, 2009: Applications are available for permits to possess a Controlled Alien Species for the Film Industry and Circuses. You must have your permit in place to possess any current Controlled Alien Species by April 1, 2010.

February 1, 2010: The last date to submit your permit application to the Ministry of Environment, to ensure compliance with the regulation, and obtain your permit before the April 1, 2010 deadline.

April 1, 2010: If you are in possession of a Controlled Alien Species without a permit, you may be subject to a penalty for violating the new restrictions.

Click here for a Permit Application form.

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