The Nature Intelligence System (NIS) can help address big wildlife trade challenges at Canadian borders.
It’s the tool you’ve never heard of, that could make a big difference cracking down on the illegal and underregulated wildlife trade in Canada.
The Nature Intelligence System – or NIS – is an AI-powered tool that can assist Canada’s border agents by flagging high-risk shipments containing live animals (as well as their parts and derivates). It acts as a digital specialist, analyzing complex data to help front-line border agents make better-informed decisions.
Though only 0.5% of the world’s population, Canada is a major contributor to the global wildlife trade. Hundreds of thousands of wild animals cross our border each year. Our 2021 report found that between 2014 and 2019 at least 1.8 million wild animals were imported into Canada and:
- Less than 8% of those animals were subject to permits from either the CFIA or CITES/CWS;
- 93% of the imported reptiles recorded by CBSA lacked taxonomic species descriptions; and,
- 80% of the 320,000 wild animals imported in 2019 were for the exotic pet trade.
Canadian experts and policymakers agree that Canada needs to do more to curb the commercial wildlife trade.
Right now, massive responsibility rests on the shoulders of border agents. These generalist agents are expected to become trade regulation experts in a wide range of complicated goods and make rapid decisions based on minimal information – allowing wildlife trade to operate largely unchecked.
The NIS is an important tool that would help address gaps in wildlife trade data and enforcement capability by transferring scientific expertise to front-line agents. Plus, it’s a low-cost and government-tested solution.
Federal budget needed
Unfortunately, too few politicians know about this and there currently isn’t any federal budget to implement it. Right now, Prime Minister Carney and the Liberal government are finalizing the federal budget.
We’ve shared our budget recommendations with the Ministers responsible – will you urge your MP to help?
Funding the NIS would fulfil 2025 election commitments to:
- “champion nature conservation internationally, including by stopping illegal wildlife trade across our borders with modern digital solutions”;
- “support strong laws to reduce the commercial trade in wild animals to reduce animal welfare, environmental and health risks”; and,
- “[deploy] new technologies and enforcement efforts in the fight against aquatic invasive species”.
The estimated cost to implement the NIS is $1-2 million in the first year with partial cost recovery from increased fines. It is not only a much-needed resource for law enforcement to reduce the risks of zoonotic diseases, invasive species, dangerous exotic pets and organized crime, it would also make Canada a leader in monitoring and curbing the wildlife trade.
Support an ask for federal budget
Implementing the NIS is a no-brainer for this government. It aligns well with several mandate commitments, follows through on several Liberal election platform promises and costs very little at a time when the government is cutting spending. Now, we’re hoping to see policy direction or funding for the program in the fall budget.
Send your MP a letter of support to crack down on wildlife trade.
Header image: The Nature Intelligence System (NIS) can help address big wildlife trade challenges at Canadian borders.