Fines of up to $1 million will be dished out to people breaking a new conservation law aimed at protecting endangered species.

The tough penalty will be imposed under the Endangered Animals and Plants Act 2006 ? which passed its third reading in the House of Assembly on Friday ? on those illegally trading or possessing endangered specimens, forging permits or certificates required for such specimens or assaulting or threatening an officer executing his duties under the Act.

The new law will also mean black market traders can be jailed for up to five years.

Government Whip asked Environment Minister to confirm the amount of the fines in the House on Friday.

?This seems to be very excessive,? he said.

The Minister replied that the severity of the penalty was intended as a deterrent. ?It?s clearly stated there and as I think they?d say in Nike: ?Just don?t do it?,? she said.

Mrs. Butterfield had earlier told MPs that the new legislation was needed to ensure Bermuda complied with the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).

In 2004, the 13th Conference of the Parties to the Convention in Bangkok gave the UK until the end of September this year to ensure its overseas territories put adequate legislation in place for protecting endangered species.

Mrs. Butterfield said the existing Endangered Animals and Plants Act 1976 was now so out of date that a new law had had to be drafted.

?The new act enables Bermuda to successfully implement CITES, greatly enhances enforcement of the Convention and brings Bermuda in line with the approximately 170 other Parties to CITES,? she said.

?Bermuda will be able to do its part in the protection, conservation and management of Earth?s environments and the animal and plant species located therein.

?International cooperation is essential for the protection of certain species of wild animals and plants against over-exploitation through international trade.?

She said that the Department of Environmental Protection dealt with two or three CITES matters each month.