Industry Issues
The WCA 2010 Act 716 and subsequent Regulations, enacted under Section 132, were implemented or enforced with inadequate consultation with stakeholders. At the time the WCA 2010 Act 716 was enacted, only a handful of Associations existed including MAZPA and the Pet Shop Association, both of whom have understandably watched out for its own interests only.
However, as the summary below will demonstrate, the issue affected a wider industry than initially anticipated. Even the P4PHM had initially been on the look out for zoo operator, commercial breeder and specific trader issues was forced to undergo a rapid change to cover issues from a wide spectrum of stakeholders. We have summarized the issues below in a list and you will need to visit our main website to view our arguments.
• The WCA 2010 Act 716, a Non-Retrospective Law
The WCA 2010 Act 716 is a non-retrospecive law, yet its provisions have been enforced onto stakeholders barely months after the law was passed putting a number of stakeholders out of business, caused cessation of trading activities, etc.
• The Non-CITES Species Issue
A number of wildlife species have been categorized incorrectly in the Act, causing a host of issues. Some common foreign species have also been protected as "local species."
• Section 95
PERHILITAN has exploited provisions of Section 95 on stakeholders when it should have been required to apply Section 94. Section 94 provides for "Search and Seizures with Warrant" while Section 95 provides for "Search and Seizure Without Warrant."
• Inabiity of Hobbyists to Dispose of Their "Protected Species" Pets
Hobbyists may only dispose of their "protected species" pets by giving them away or surrendering them to PERHILITAN.
• Exorbitant Fees for Hobbyists and Orang Asli
Fees have increased more than 1,000% in some instances.
• Logistics Headaches to Orang Asli
Orang asli were required to fill out forms although most are illiterate and required to pay fees more than 100km from their "area of operation."
• Restrictions of Trade
Regulations limit the trade of only five species of snakes amongst others.
• Other Issues
More than 20 issues have been raised to the NRE's attention since July 2012
