For the purposes of controlled alien species, Ministry of Environment's Fish and Wildlife Branch considers a research institution to be an institution that uses controlled alien species specifically for research purposes. The institution conducts research that is approved by a board of ethics or conforms to, or exceeds, the standards for animal care and use as outlined in the Canadian Council on Animal Care's Guide to the Care and Use of Experimental Animals and disseminates their results in scientific journals.
For the purposes of controlled alien species, Ministry of Environment's Fish and Wildlife Branch considers an educational institution to be an educational body (such as a registered B.C. college or university) recognized by the provincial government as a bona fide institution. The institution intentionally facilitates learning toward identified goals to the extent that the educational institution provides predictable and organized learning opportunities.
Commercial zoos, educational and research institutions will need to be required to have permits for possession, breeding or shipping/transporting a controlled alien species after March 31, 2010. Applications for these permits will be available after November 01, 2010. Permits must also be obtained after March 31, 2010 to bring new controlled alien species into British Columbia.
After March 31, 2010, as a requirement of their permit, commercial zoos will highly likely be required to meet the Canadian Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ accreditation standards. Educational and research institutions will be required to meet the affiliation standards of the Canadian Association of Zoos and Aquariums.
March 16, 2009: Commercial zoos, educational and research institutions can possess controlled alien species without permits but should apply for permits beginning November 1, 2009. They can breed controlled alien species in their possession and bring new controlled alien species into B.C. until March 31 2010 without permits.
March 31, 2010: Commercial zoos, educational and research institutions must apply for permits to breed and transport controlled alien species. They also require permits to possess new controlled alien species that were not in B.C. before March 16, 2009.
November 1, 2009: Commercial zoos, educational and research institutions may begin applying for permits to breed and transport controlled alien species. They also require permits to possess controlled alien species that were not in B.C. prior to March 16, 2009. You have until March 31, 2010 to obtain permits for each animal.
