20 February 2007 – Speech - EXTRACTS FROM A SPEECH BY MARTHINUS VAN SCHALKWYK, MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS AND TOURISM, AT THE LAUNCH OF THE THREATENED OR PROTECTED SPECIES REGULATIONS ON TUESDAY 20TH FEBRUARY 2007

Introduction

Today, it gives me great pleasure to publish the regulations that pertain to threatened and protected species. These regulations will come into effect on 1 June 2007.

The regulations are a culmination of a three year period of consultation between government, civil society, the wild life industry as well as animal welfare groups. They also take into account several recommendations by a panel of experts which I appointed in January 2005.

For the first time nationally listed species will now have uniform conservation status across the country. Government will have new muscle to ensure that our biodiversity is utilised in an ecologically sustainable way. A broad range of restricted activities will now require permits. The illicit trading of our endangered fish, bird and plant species, like cycads, will be rooted out. The same legal standards will apply throughout the country, closing loopholes and removing discrepancies between provinces.

In support of these regulations, our initiatives to improve law enforcement demonstrate Government’s resolve to protect our biological heritage. The Green Scorpions will continue to play a key role in ensuring compliance.

Let me turn to some of the specifics:

Registration and self-regulation

The Regulations introduce a uniform national system for the registration of captive breeding operations, commercial exhibition facilities, game farms, nurseries, scientific institutions, sanctuaries and rehabilitation facilities. These institutions will be required to meet strict criteria. For the first time, provision will be made for the recognition of hunting organisations and the application of codes of ethical conduct and good practice.

The introduction of game farm hunting and nursery possession permits will streamline the permit issuing process. It will also compel permit holders to provide critical information to the authorities, which will assist in assessing the status of biodiversity in the country.

Meeting International Commitments

In order to meet our CITES commitments, we are establishing a national scientific authority, which will replace the current fragmented system. The new authority will enable uniform implementation and provide access to scientific information beyond just CITES species.

As a signatory to the international Convention on Biodiversity, South Africa has a commitment to the sustainable use of our natural resources. We understand the huge responsibility that rests on our shoulders to nurture the ecological and economic value of our biodiversity. Therefore, we must protect the integrity of our ecosystems to ensure their long term contribution to tourism and job creation. These regulations empower us to do this.

Canned Lion Hunting

We are putting an end, once and for all, to the reprehensible practice of canned hunting. The regulations specifically prohibit hunting large predators and rhinoceros that are “put and take” animals - in other words, a captive bred animal that is released on a property for the purpose of hunting within twenty four months.

South Africa has a long-standing reputation as a global leader on conservation issues. We can not allow our achievements to be undermined by rogue practices such as canned lion hunting.

Cleaning up the Hunting Industry

More broadly, the regulations signal the start of a clean-up of the hunting industry. They lay the basis for a well regulated and ethical hunting and game farming industry in South Africa.

Whilst we applaud their substantial and positive contribution to conservation management and economic growth, we also have a responsibility to preserve the resource base and ensure that the industry has a sustainable future. In order to do this, we must balance economic objectives with conservation management objectives. Hunting is an important industry, but we must manage it in accordance with ethical and defensible standards.

The regulations include prohibitions and restrictions on certain activities and methods of hunting. For example, hunting thick skinned animals and large predators with a bow and arrow will be prohibited and hunting from vehicles will no longer be allowed.
Two-step process

The implementation of these regulations will be the first step of a two-step process to clean up the hunting and game farming industry. The next step will be to promote even greater uniformity with regard to elements of the hunting industry that we are not dealing with today. We will introduce national norms and standards that provide a framework for provincial regulation and further streamline permitting. This will also be developed in close consultation with the industry, provincial authorities and other stakeholders.

The regulations are available on www.environment.gov.za

Publication of lists of critically endangered, endangered, vulnerable and protected species.

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Commencement of threatened or protected species regulations, 2007
Minister Van Schalkwyk takes final decision on Public Recreational Beach Driving

18 February 2006 - Ministry of Environmental Affairs and Tourism - NOTE TO EDITORS: Regulations governing the use of vehicles for recreational purposes in the coastal zone were introduced by the Department of Environmental Affairs & Tourism and promulgated in December 2001. In November 2004, DEAT issued revised Regulations governing the use of vehicles for recreational purposes in the coastal zone. These Regulations, in effect, further limited public vehicle access to beaches (including making provision for disabled access) and led to renewed public interest and objections from proponents of recreational beach-driving. At the request of the Minister of Environmental Affairs & Tourism, a study was commissioned to test the validity of public statements and perceptions concerning the positive and negative effects of the "beach-driving ban". The Greater St Lucia Wetland Park was used as a case study.

STATEMENT BY THE OFFICE OF THE MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS AND TOURISM, MARTHINUS VAN SCHALKWYK, ON 18 february
Minister Van Schalkwyk takes final decision on
Public Recreational Beach Driving

"The decision surrounding public recreational beach driving is now final," said Marthinus van Schalkwyk, South African Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, as he released a report on the ecological and socio-economic impact of the beach driving ban.

The Minister said," I am now entirely satisfied that the decision to ban/restrict public recreational vehicles on South African beaches was the correct one. There is now overwhelming evidence that this is the best decision for the environment, and more broadly sustainable development and tourism growth. While there may have been an initial negative economic impact, it is clear that this trend has reversed and the stage is set for further growth. In fact, there is conclusive proof that several businesses have been successful at capturing new niche markets, including the lucrative eco-tourism market".

"I would like to emphasise that this policy is here to stay. Future tourism and investment planning no longer has to contend with any uncertainty regarding public recreational beach driving in South Africa. We now have clarity regarding the legislative and regulatory context in which planning frameworks and investment strategies can be developed to further promote eco-tourism associated with the Wetland Park, and, indeed, the greater coastal landscape of the country."

A study was conducted in the context of the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park, with a view to determining the best possible outcomes in terms of sustainable economic growth and its attendant ecological and social co-benefits.

Further, there was a examination of a number of ecological indicators that showed the ecological effects associated with continued vehicle use are negative and the effects associated with the withdrawal or decrease of vehicles are positive. From an ecological viewpoint, and if the precautionary principle is to be applied, beaches should not be re-opened to public recreational vehicles.

The tourism chapter concludes that the introduction of the Regulations, at the time of the beach-driving ban and up until 2003, had an initial negative impact on tourism in the Wetland Park area. However, the impact was arguably exacerbated by several other factors: the opening of Mozambique as an alternative destination (new tar road and easier access), a major drought, high fuel prices, and a weak Rand, amongst others. However, the negative economic impact has been softened by several factors. These include ongoing Government efforts through the Lubombo Spatial Development Initiative and the Wetland Authority for improvement and upliftment of the area, the World Heritage status of the Park, game re-introductions, improved Park infrastructure, a change in the profile of visitors to the area (more foreign visitors and domestic holiday makers interested in the eco-tourism experience; and fewer visitors focused on beach-driving and fishing) and an adaptation and broadening of tourism products and services.

Since 2003/2004, tourist numbers have shown a recovery, and new business opportunities have continued to arise. Similarly, tourism patterns have changed with a shortening of the so-called off-season. Changes in the formal tourism business sector have been most marked in St Lucia Town where, in particular, the higher end accommodation market has grown. A July 2006 inventory of tourist accommodation in and around the Wetland Park revealed a 59% increase in establishments and an 18% increase in beds since 2000.

A crime study showed that the overall trends have not changed since the introduction of the Regulations governing the use of vehicles in the coastal zone. No direct causal link could be found linking the frequency of crime incidents with the introduction of the beach driving ban. It is important to note that crime hotspots could not be directly correlated with areas where beach-driving had or had not been permitted prior to the introduction of the Regulations.

Information on the informal sector showed that the income generated by the tourism-related informal economy is critical to the survival of numerous poor families living on the periphery of the Park. It appears that informal sector businesses have not been able to capture adequately the opportunities arising from the increase in foreign tourists. This is an area that requires substantive interventions to bridge the gap between the formal and informal economies and to achieve a broader spread of the new economic opportunities and benefits. Added to this, it is considered necessary to broaden the transformation of tourism service providers operating adjacent to the Wetland Park.

From the different specialist perspectives it is evident that the beach-driving ban had both positive and negative impacts. It is, however, difficult to separate the precise effects of the ban from the effects of several other important factors that have influenced and contributed to the trends in tourism and the tourism related economy in and around the Wetland Park. Also a conclusion is reached that many of the perceptions on crime and socio-economic or tourism impacts advanced by those in favour of ending the beach-driving ban are not based on fact.

In line with international best practice, all legislation and Government policy that relates or impinges on conservation and natural resource use and management, makes a fundamental commitment to sustainable development and the upliftment of people. In terms of sustainability criteria, it is unlikely that allowing public recreational beach-driving will make a significant contribution to sustainable development.

In pursuit of its development goals through tourism, Government has invested heavily in the greater area of the Wetland Park and its surrounds, initially via the Lubombo Spatial Development Initiative and more recently via the Wetland Authority.
Outcomes are seen in the new tourism mix, which includes the full range of the lower to higher end tourism market, and which properly balances domestic and international tourism, is more sustainable into the future.

The study is available on www.environment.gov.za

Environmental Affairs and Tourism Deputy Minister, Ms Rejoice Mabudafhasi, Embarked on a Road-Show in Kgalagadi District

20 February 2007 - Media Statement - ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS AND TOURISM DEPUTY MINISTER, MS REJOICE MABUDAFHASI, EMBARKED ON A ROAD-SHOW IN KGALAGADI DISTRICT, NORTHERN CAPE AND WAS GREETED BY DISTURBING NEWS OF COMMUNITIES LIVING UNDER A BLANKET OF ASBESTOS DUST ARISING FROM THE UNREHABILITATED MINES DUMPS AND CAUSING UNPRECEDENTED DISEASES TO THE LOCALS.

TUESDAY, 20 FEBRUARY 2007: Polluted asbestos-filled dust blown by wind to communities in the vicinity of the mine dumps in Kgalagadi District, Northern Cape Province, is wreaking havoc and leaving a trail of fast spreading sufferings to poverty-stricken communities. No remedial work has been done to address the problem and the problem is poised to worsen if nothing is done sooner.

Many people have already been diagnosed with asbestos-related diseases such as asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma which attack the residents through inhalation of asbestos fibres and there is no known scientific cure for these diseases. The findings of the survey indicate that nineteen (19) communities are affected.

The virtually indestructible asbestos fibres can break into thousands of microscopic particles, get released into the atmosphere and thereafter form part of the polluted air people breathe daily. Aided by people’s movements, the asbestos fibres can spread up to 100 km radius from the source. Asbestos can be found in building materials used for schools, churches, public offices, homes and brake linings of cars and trucks. The crumbling of roofs and bricks made of asbestos further exacerbate the problem as more fibres are released into the air. The entire Kgalagadi District is virtually covered in asbestos since asbestos is found in public facilities such as clinics, churches, police stations, tribal offices, sports fields, schools and CBDs.

Learners at Gamopedi Schools now have to grapple with fighting asbestos induced diseases, instead of concentrating on their studies. The Vergenoeg Tower community is also subjected to the same challenge of fighting off the ailments. The unabated spread of the diseases has recently claimed the life of a young researcher from a local community. Pessimism has engulfed the residents as the worst is feared in the future if help doesn’t come urgently. The low socio-economic status of the communities makes it impossible for residents to fight the diseases since residents have no money to access quality medicines. The asbestos dust covers many homes and even spread to household items, including cooking utensils.

Although compensation agencies and support structures have been established, their services mainly benefit former employees and their descendants. Residents without historical links with former asbestos mining companies, but are affected aren’t receiving assistance to seek compensation.

Commenting at a road-show on Monday the 19th February 2007 Deputy Minister Rejoice Mabudafhasi said, “Plans to counter environmental degradation caused by asbestos fibres will be vigorously pursued by mobilizing NGOs, business and the provincial government to help the affected residents. Addressing the problem would require huge resources and the Dept. of Environmental Affairs and Tourism is exploring various avenues to solicit both capital and human resources to assist provinces to initiate rehabilitations. Furthermore, I would like to appeal to the private sector to come on board to contribute to the collective efforts to rehabilitate the mines and initiate a program to reduce the concentration of asbestos fibres in the atmosphere. Projects involving public private partnerships always deliver impressive results and I would like to see a similar collaboration environmentally changing the lives of Kgalagadi people”.

Asbestos mining began in the 1880s and South Africa contributed 97% of the world blue asbestos production. Cape Plc (via Cape Blue), Merencor and Griqualand Exploratory and Finance Company (GEFCO) were the main owners of asbestos producing mines. The closure of the manually operated mines (7), which were left open when the operations were closed, occurred in 11000.