United States Government Publishing Office publisher pbl distributor dst United States Government Accountability Office Resources, Community, and Economic Development Division author aut Government Organization text government publication eng GAOREPORTS Legislative Agency Publications gao legislative 2010-08-12 U.S. Government Printing Office 1994-12-29 monographic deposited born digital 86 p. GA 1.13:RCED-95-8 https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/GAOREPORTS-RCED-95-8 P0b002ee180387d81 f:rc95008 DGPO 2010-08-12 2011-03-24 GAOREPORTS-RCED-95-8 machine generated eng fdlp REPORT GAOREPORTS-RCED-95-8 RCED-95-8 Interagency relations Law enforcement Wildlife conservation Endangered animals International trade Inspection Management information systems Fines (penalties) Use taxes Customs administration FWS Wildlife Inspection Program Canada Mexico FWS Law Enforcement Management Information System World Wildlife Fund TRAFFIC USA Monitoring Program North American Free Trade Agreement NAFTA Chapter Report RCED

Growing demand throughout the world for wildlife and wildlife parts, ranging from rhino horns to bear gall bladders, now threatens some wildlife populations. Although the full extent of illegal trade is unknown, the value of such trade into and out of the United States is estimated at up to $250 million annually. Despite recent increases in the Fish and Wildlife Service's (FWS) wildlife inspection program, the program has had difficulty in accomplishing its mission of monitoring wildlife and intercepting wildlife trade. Given current budget constraints and downsizing within the federal government, increases in program funding are unlikely. GAO raises questions about the program's efficiency and effectiveness. The passage of the North American Free Trade Agreement is likely to increase wildlife trade among the countries that are party to the agreement--the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The expected rise in trade will increase the workload of FWS inspectors, who are already stretched thin along the U.S. borders. Wildlife inspectors, federal agency officials, and conservation and trade groups cited advantages and disadvantages to transferring FWS' wildlife inspection program to the Customs Service. https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/GAOREPORTS-RCED-95-8/html/GAOREPORTS-RCED-95-8.htm https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/GAOREPORTS-RCED-95-8/pdf/GAOREPORTS-RCED-95-8.pdf GAO/RCED-95-8 https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/GAOREPORTS-RCED-95-8 Chapter Report GAO/RCED-95-8; Wildlife Protection: Fish and Wildlife Service's Inspection Program Needs Strengthening; Interagency relations Law enforcement Wildlife conservation Endangered animals International trade Inspection Management information systems Fines (penalties) Use taxes Customs administration FWS Wildlife Inspection Program Canada Mexico FWS Law Enforcement Management Information System World Wildlife Fund TRAFFIC USA Monitoring Program North American Free Trade Agreement NAFTA Title 16 Section 1361-1407 Title 16 Section 1531-1544 Title 16 Section 2401-2412 Title 16 Section 3371-3378 Title 16 Section 4201-4245 Title 16 Section 4901-4916 Title 16 Section 668-668c Title 16 Section 703-712 16 U.S.C. 1361-1407 16 U.S.C. 1531-1544 16 U.S.C. 2401-2412 16 U.S.C. 3371-3378 16 U.S.C. 4201-4245 16 U.S.C. 4901-4916 16 U.S.C. 668-668c 16 U.S.C. 703-712 Title 18 Section 42 18 U.S.C. 42 Public Law 103-182