DECLARATION OF AN APPROVED WILDLIFE TRADE OPERATION

1. I, Josh Frydenberg, Minister for the Environment and Energy:

(a) having considered the comments that were given in response to an invitation under section 303FR(1) of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cth) (EPBC Act); and

(b) being satisfied as to the matters set out in section 303FN of the EPBC Act,

declare that the Proposed wildlife trade operation for the export of kangaroo skins derived from the expanded Victorian Kangaroo Petfood Trial 2016–18 (West Wimmera, Glenelg, Loddon and Greater Bendigo shires) (the proposal), is an approved small-scale wildlife trade operation for the purposes of section 303FN of the EPBC Act.

2. The proposal is subject to the declaration in paragraph 1 only:

(a) until expiry of Phase II of the Victorian Pet Food Trial (i.e. until 31 March 2018);

(b) to the extent that the proposal relates to specimens from the following species:

(i) eastern grey kangaroo (Macropus giganteus)

(ii) western grey kangaroo (Macropus fuliginosus);

(d) if the harvesting area is restricted to the expanded Pet Food Trial regions of West Wimmera, Glenelg, Loddon and Greater Bendigo shires; and

(e) if the total harvest for Victorian Petfood Processors in the above regions does not exceed 10,000 kangaroos, including stockpiled skins already harvested from the expanded Trial region.

3. A report must be submitted to the Director, Wildlife Trade Assessments Section, Department of the Environment and Energy by 31 March annually, detailing the number of tags issued and returned under each Authority to Control Wildlife permit, the number and origin of skins processed and exported, and provide a declaration that all kangaroos have been taken in compliance with the National Code of Practice for the Humane Shooting of Kangaroos and Wallabies for Commercial Purposes.