World Customs Organization recognizes Department of Environment as a service provider

The World Customs Organization awarded the Department of Environment a certificate of excellence for exceptional service rendered to the international customs community at its borders.

The Department is among two Government agencies that have been awarded this year.

Joshua Wycliffe, Permanent Secretary for Environment, emphasized the importance of the Department’s partnership with key border agencies such as the Fiji Revenue and Customs Service when addressing environmental crimes at our borders.

Wycliffe states that they have one of most successful working relationships with FRCS and would love to thank them for this relationship.

He said that environmental crime is now a serious problem in many forms around the globe, with some of the most lucrative criminal activities in this area.

Wycliffe stated that the most common crimes against nature are the trafficking and smuggling endangered species, illegal trade of endangered animal and plant species, and the exploitation of wild fauna or flora.

He says that with the dramatic rise in illegal trade and other illegal activities, species smuggling is also on the rise.

The Permanent Secretary said there is a heightened interest in some of our species that can either be smuggled, or mismanaged, both intentionally and unwittingly.