Establishing an Annual Master File
Based on information obtained from State agencies and public information on how farms produce and export turtles, the Division of Management Authority has established a permitting process involving the establishment of a “master file” to facilitate quick turnaround time between the hatching of specimens and their export. Given that farms are exporting turtles within days of hatching, the Division of Management Authority recognizes the typical permit process of applying for an export permit after the specimens have been born does not reflect the circumstances of export for Appendix-III turtles coming from these farm operations. With the establishment of an annual “Master file,” the facility provides all of the relevant information necessary for permit issuance before any permits are needed. Once the Master file is established, the Division of Management Authority will issue a number of partially completed export permits that allow the farm to export specimens within days of the turtles hatching.
Application Procedure
- Please use application form 3-200-27 to apply for an Annual Master File for Appendix III turtles. While this general application form, entitled ‘Export/Re-export of Wildlife Removed from the Wild,’ refers to removing specimens from the wild, it is currently the best application form available to establishing an annual master file. The Service is in the process of seeking approval for creating an application form designed specifically for establishing Annual Master Files for Appendix III species.
- On page one,
a. complete section B.
b. complete section C. Questions 1 and 2 are primarily there as a reminder to you on the need to obtain required permits or licenses from your State. Question 3 addresses the application fee. The fee for an annual Master File is $50 (as established in 50 CFR 13.11(4)). Please do not submit a fee of $100. Please sign and date the application in question 5 and 6.
- On page two,
a. Question 1: Please identify the specific Appendix-III turtle species your facility produces and will be exporting. Given that common names may have regional variation, you must include the scientific name of the species (our list of accepted scientific names is available). You DO NOT need to provide hatch dates, sex, or a description of the turtles since, at the time of applying, this information is not available (please note, however, that permits issued under a Master file will be conditioned to limit the size of the specimens to 2” or less for map turtles and 3” or less for alligator snapping turtles). The current location of the specimens would be your facility.
b. Question 2: The purpose of the exports would be commercial.
c. Question 3: Please provide:
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i. Subquestion a: The location of your facility (physical location) |
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ii. Subquestion b: Since you do not have this information at the time of applying, no information needs to be provided. |
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iii. Subquestion c: Information on any licensing or permitting requirements for the state where your facility is located. Copies of such licenses or permits would be helpful, but are not mandatory. Please note that the Division of Management Authority is in communication with the appropriate State agencies regarding the production of Appendix-III turtles. |
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iv. Subquestion d: Information provided for question c) answers this question. |
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v. Subquestion e: Information provided for question c) answers this question. |
d. Questions 4: Since at the time of applying this information is not available, no information is required for this question.
e. Question 5: Since this question refers to migratory bird species, no information is required.
f. Question 6: Please provide a description of the shipping containers used to export your turtles, as well as arrangements for caring for the turtles during transport. (Please note that all shipments must meet International Air Transport Association [IATA] shipping standards and container requirements. For questions, contact the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Office of Law Enforcement at the designated wildlife port from which you intend to export.)
g. Question 7: Since this question refers to Appendix I specimens, no information is required.
h. Question 8: Please identify the port of export that you would most likely use.
i. Questions 9, 10, and 11: Please answer if appropriate.
- Once the Division of Management Authority receives your request, we will review your application to determine if you meet the issuance criteria for export permits for Appendix III specimens. The main issue is to evaluate whether your facility meets all State regulations for possessing and exporting the species identified in your application. This determination will be made in conjunction with your State, primarily through documentation (e.g., laws, regulations, lists of registered farms) that they provide to the Division of Management Authority. If the Division of Management Authority has not received the needed information from your State prior to your applying, we will contact your State directly for more information. Processing time will generally be less than 4 weeks. This time however may be extended if the Division of Management Authority needs to contact your State for more information.
- In addition to the completed application, please submit a cover letter prominently identifying that you are requesting an annual Master File for Appendix-III turtles. As mentioned above, once a Master file is established, the Division of Management Authority will issue a number of partially completed export permits that you will need to complete and present to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Wildlife Inspector at the time of export. In your cover letter, please identify the number of permits you believe you would need for the first 5-6 months AFTER the listing goes into effect (more information provided below). A processing fee of $5 is required for each permit requested. Each permit will be valid for 6 months (i.e., must be used within six months of the listing date). The Division of Management Authority can not refund or renew any 6-month permit that has expired.
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Finally, include a check for $50, plus $5 for each export permit needed. For example, if you believe you will make 10 shipments in the first 6 months, you will need 10 permits; you should therefore submit a fee of $100 ($50 for the Master file and $50 for the 10 export permits).
Information on how to obtain additional permits once you have established a Master file is also available. |
