Cooperation with the Customs

Study the following words:

biodiversity – разнообразие видов

conservation – сохранение, охрана

habitat – среда обитания (животного, растения)

Rhinoceros and Tiger Conservation Fund – фонд охраны носорогов и тигров

environmental society – общество охраны окружающей среды

mammal – млекопитающее

insect – насекомое

reptile – рептилия

The Phoenix Fund was established in March, 1998. Its mission is to conserve the rich biodiversity of the Russian Far East through initiating, funding and implementing conservation projects.

The Fund has received support from a large number of organizations including Wildlife Alliance, Save the Tiger Fund, Tigris Foundation, Rhinoceros and Tiger Conservation Fund and others.

Phoenix Fund closely co-operates with the local authorities, environmental societies, scientists and educational institutions.

Russian Far East represents important habitat for a rich multitude of rare and endangered, and endemic species of plants and berries, mammals, insects, birds, butterflies, reptiles and the like.

More and more often the endangered wildlife and derivatives become objects of illegal trade across the international border. To address this problem, Phoenix developed a project aimed to support the investigative work of the Special Department of eliminating wildlife crimes of the Primorsky Customs Service.

In April 2001 Phoenix and the Far Eastern Customs signed an official Agreement on co-operation. The project implied improvement of technical base of the Customs through replacement of the old equipment with more advanced. With this equipment, the Customs officers carried out activities aimed to eliminating illegal wildlife trade channels. Classes in identifying and eliminating illegal wildlife channels were held for students of the Primorsky Customs Academy, including design and publication of educational posters and other materials.

The project became possible due to the help from the Save the Tiger Fund.

Exercise 16.Render the article below in English. Use the following:

Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES); derivative; illegal trafficking; Central Administrative Board on Smuggling; endangered species of wildlife; to be liable to forfeiture; the main routes; suppliers; rare plants; reptiles; exotic birds and animals; become objects of illegal trade across the Customs border; amphibians; turtles; lizards; to eliminate illegal wildlife trade channels.

Новости ФТС России

ФТС России борется с контрабандой объектов фауны и флоры

На российской территории главная роль по исполнению Конвенции о международной торговле видами дикой флоры и фауны, находящимися под угрозой исчезновения (СИТЕС) в части, касающейся недопущения нелегального перемещения объектов животного и растительного миров, а также их частей (дериватов) через таможенную границу, отводится таможенным органам. Координацию их деятельности осуществляет Главное управление по борьбе с контрабандой (ГУБК) ФТС России.

Анализ пресеченных таможенными органами Российской Федерации попыток незаконного трансграничного перемещения объектов животного и растительного миров, а также их частей позволил выявить основные маршруты их ввоза на российскую территорию и вывоза с нее. Так, главными поставщиками на российский нелегальный рынок «живого товара», редких растений и их частей являются: Африка и Южная Америка – экзотические птицы и животные (попугаи, обезьяны); Юго-Восточная Азия – рептилии, земноводные, амфибии (черепахи, змеи, ящерицы и пр.) и Европа – энтомологические коллекции насекомых.

Talking Points

Exercise 17. Speak on the differences between the Russian and the US Customs veterinary requirements in respect of:

a) pets;

b) endangered species of wildlife, and products made from them.

Exercise 18.Comment on the following:

1. Russia’s SPS standards are extremely strict.

2. There are some disagreements between the Russian ‘Rosselkhoznadzor’ and the U.S. exporters.

3. The United States and Russia signed a number of bilateral agreements to address SPS issues.

Focus on Grammar

Exercise 19. Open the brackets using Passive Voice. Translate the sentences into Russian.

All birds and animals must (import) under humane and healthful conditions.
Pets (examine) at the port of entry.
Cleaning, feeding, watering and other necessary services must also (provide).
The dog may (admit) but should (place) in confinement for at least 30 days after the date of vaccination.
The inspector must see to it that all restrictions and prohibitions (keep) and no foreign laws (violate).

Exercise 20.Open the brackets using the correct Active or Passive forms.

1. Yesterday I (meet) a friend of mine whom I (not see) for a long time.

2. Where is Smirnov? – He (not be) at his workplace, he (go) to the arrival hall. Wait for him, he (come) back in 20 minutes.

3. Our documents already (sign) by the director. They (be) in order now.

4. When I (enter) a Customs hall, our baggage still (examine) by the Customs officers.

5. Anyone (see) my passport? I can’t find it.

6. You ever (be) to France? – Yes, I (be) there last year.

7. He (work) at the Customs for 10 years.

Exercise 21. Complete the sentences using will or be going to.

Example: (I / watch) my favourite TV programmeme at 7 p.m. – I’m going to watch my favourite TV programmeme at 7 p.m.

1. (She / leave) work late tomorrow. There is a meeting at 5 o’clock p.m.

2. (I / carry) your suitcase for you.