Customs seizures on show in Wildlife Trade Exhibition in Dublin
Revenue has warned that people who bring home holiday souvenirs made of rare plant or animal products could be breaking the law if they do not have the correct permits.
Trade in rare or endangered plants and animals (live or dead) is regulated through the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). In the past year Customs officers made three such seizures, coral jewellery, a crocodile-skin handbag and the skin of a Caracal (African Lynx).
Specimens of products made from CITES-listed species which have been seized by Customs form part of a display being exhibited by the National Parks and Wildlife Service of the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government, in association with UNEP-WCMC at ENFO, 17 Andrews Street, Dublin 2, until the 8th May 2009.
Animals and plants are traded around the world for all sorts of reasons ranging from sturgeon eggs for caviar; crocodile leather for shoes; ivory and coral for jewellery; tropical timber for furniture and live animals for pets.
Revenue's Custom Service has the prime responsibility for the policing of imports at all entry points into the State.
[Ends: 15/04/2009]