Non Native Insects Illegal in Canada???

[gonesnakee]

Hi all there is a bit of a debate on another forum as to the legallities of certain insects in Canada. Apparrently all non-native insects are Illegal to import, keep, breed, buy & sell unless they are dead as per Agriculture Canada??? So people say. CITES permits apply to certain species as per anything but other than that does anyone here know the "REAL LAWS" for sure in reguards to them? Arachnoids apparrently fall into a different classification (as they should) & are not affected by the same laws. This all came about when someone suggested bringing Mantis, leafbugs etc. to the Calgary TARAS show & I for one always like to know where I stand with the law. So if there is someone who knows the official laws & how or if they even enforce them pleae enlighten us THX Mark IsBell
P.S. DAMN GOVT. >(

[sevenofthorns]

There are some bugs that require permits to import and keep, such as all non-native roach species, but some do not require any permits at all. There is a list on the CFIA website.

To the best of my knowledge though there is no blanket law. Butterworms are not illegal to sell in Canada, but the importer requires a permit and they must be irradiated to prevent breeding prior to import. Other bugs don't require such things, and then there are some that require even more. Really depends on what.

If you don't know the easiest way to find out is to talk to someone at CFIA and/or your Ministry of Natural Resources.

[gonesnakee]

THX 7 I was provided with a link also for people who are interested: http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/.../orglste.shtml (THX to Neil of EDM, AB) Mark

[Stockwell]

Tropical roaches , stick bugs, mantids are all prohibited/or require special license and have on occasion been seized in petstores and shows here in Ontario.
Most common feeder insects require no import permit, like crickets, fruit flies and meal worms are OK, as are spiders, centipedes, earthworms & scorpions.
keep in mind however that some municiple bylaws may prohibit scorpions and spiders if considered " poisonous/ venomous"

Here's the link http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/.../orglste.shtml

[rhacodactylus]

Just for interest here is the list of pest species regulated by Canada:

http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/...tpespare.shtml

Note that the giant african land snails are on this list.

[Invictus]

That is great information, thank you Neil. I'll be sure to include this info on the TARAS site as it gets rebuilt.