11 July 2013 - The South
African government remains committed to
addressing the on-going scourge of rhino
poaching that has to date seen a total of
480 rhinos killed for their horns, whilst
the number of arrests has increased to 140.
As part of interventions
to address the scourge, Cabinet recently
approved that South Africa prepares and
submits a rhino trade proposal for consideration
at the 17th Conference of Parties of the
Convention on International Trade in Endangered
Species of Fauna and Flora (CITES) in 2016.
The Cabinet also approved the establishment
of a Task Team to assist in preparation
for the CoP17 CITES, since the development
of a trade proposal should take into account
numerous aspects, including the appropriate
model for trade; the anticipated changes
in the markets and the demand for rhino
horn; the additional control measures and
requirements to be introduced; potential
trade partners; etc.
The decision to table
a proposal at the next CITES CoP was not
taken lightly. It followed an extensive
public consultation process, nationally
and internationally. In 2012 a national
consultation process, known as the Rhino
Issue Management process relating to rhino
conservation was initiated with various
stakeholders. This process resulted in the
Rhino Issue Manager Report that has since
been tabled in Cabinet and MECs. The RIM
Report makes recommendations on funding,
rhino conservation, safety and security,
and commerce (trade).
On the matter of international
trade for commercial purposes, as was presented
and approved by Cabinet recently, this will
only be allowed if approved by the Conference
of Parties. Currently, international trade
in rhino horn for commercial purposes is
prohibited and this prohibition can only
be lifted, if agreed by the CoP. To ensure
Parties to CITES are able to make a decision
relating to this matter, a proposal must
be submitted for consideration by the Parties.
The South African government
believes trade must be seen in the broader
context of a myriad of interventions being
implemented to address the scourge of rhino
poaching. Government does not view trade
as a panacea for the on-going scourge, but
is part of a number of measures implemented.
The recent Cabinet meeting
also approved the establishment of an Inter-Ministerial
Committee (IMC) comprising of the Ministers
of Water and Environmental Affairs, International
Relations and Cooperation, Trade and Industry,
of Finance, Science and Technology, of Agriculture,
Forestry and Fisheries, of Rural Development
and Land Reform, of Economic Development
and of Tourism, to provide guidance relating
to preparations in respect of the trade
proposal. The Task Team responsible for
the technical details referred to above
will report to the IMC.
Despite our stated objective
to present a trade proposal at COP17, South
Africa will continue to employ numerous
safety and security measures.
Among the steps that
have already been taken are:
the deployment of additional
anti-poaching units, the Police and SANDF
in the Kruger National Park;
the prioritisation of rhino crimes by the
justice system;
the implementation of harsher sentences
for poachers, couriers and members of poaching
syndicates;
the prioritisation of the development of
an improved electronic permitting system
the implementation of revised norms and
standards for the marking of rhinoceros
horn and for the hunting of rhinoceros for
trophy hunting purposes to strengthen the
requirements relating to marking and hunting;
and include the requirement to take DNA
samples to facilitate monitoring and enforcement.
This has resulted in a significant reduction
in the number of hunting applications received,
with 69 applications received to date for
hunts during 2013.
In addition, the National
Environmental Management Laws First Amendment
Bill [B13B-2012] aimed at strengthening
the regulatory and enforcement provisions
to prevent abuse of the hunting permitting
system is at an advanced stage in the Parliamentary
process, and is expected to be enacted within
the coming months. Once promulgated, the
Amendments will ensure that a person involved
in an illegal restricted activity, but who
does not physically carry out that activity,
can also be found guilty of an offence.
The Bill further prescribes that all specimens
in transit through the country must be accompanied
by the necessary documentation. This important
provision will assist in addressing the
movement of illegal specimens.
With regards to strengthening
the regulatory and enforcement provisions
in the hunting industry, the Bill will allow
the Minister to limit the number of permits
that can be issued in order to protect a
species.
The government would
like to reiterate its commitment to working
in partnership with stakeholders and experts
to ensure a feasible model for trade is
proposed at the next CoP in South Africa.
All views expressed by interested and affected
stakeholders involved in rhino conservation
will be considered.
South Africans are urged
to report incidents of poaching and tip-offs
to the anonymous tip-off lines 0800 205
005, 08600 10111 or Crime-Line on 32211.
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Minister Edna Molewa
briefs the media on Cabinet approval of
the rhino trade proposal for consideration
at CITES CoP17 in 2016
03 July 2013
Ladies and Gentlemen of the Media,
South Africa is a Party
and founding member of the Convention on
International Trade in Endangered Species
of Wild Fauna and Flora, a trade convention
that aims to ensure that international trade
in specimens of wild animals and plants
does not threaten their survival.
The aim of the convention
aligns with, and reinforces the principle
of sustainable utilisation, which is enshrined
in the Constitution and the National Environmental
Management: Biodiversity Act as an integral
part of biodiversity conservation.
Due to sustainable utilisation
and adaptive management practices, South
Africa has developed and maintained a proud
conservation record, and communities have
contributed to the conservation of species
while benefiting financially from the restoration
and protection of species. Ironically, the
very success of our national conservation
effort which has resulted in over 73% of
the worlds’ Rhino population being conserved
in our country has, in turn, resulted in
South Africa being targeted by international
criminal Rhino poaching syndicates.
South Africa is committed
to further enhance its role as a global
conservation leader and strengthen its role
in influencing decisions and decision making
processes of CITES parties to ensure that
this trade convention fulfils all its objectives.
The on-going illegal
killing of rhino has highlighted the need
to take action in terms of addressing demand
for rhino horn. In March this year, we were
part of the 2 000 delegates from 178 countries
at the 16th Conference of Parties of the
Convention on the International Trade of
Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora
(CITES) in Thailand.
Prior to our departure
to the CITES COP 16 we launched an international
discussion on the future of South Africa’s
rhino population, particularly the issue
of legal trade in rhino horn, or not. During
the COP, South Africa engaged various countries
on the issue of rhino conservation, rhino
security and rhino trade.
The establishment of
a well-regulated international trade could
assist in this regard, if implemented in
conjunction with all the other interventions
to curb rhino poaching.
To this end, Cabinet
approved the development and submission
of a proposal to the 17th conference of
parties to CITES, scheduled to take place
in 2016 in South Africa, to introduce regulated
international trade in rhino horn. This
decision is informed by recognition of the
contribution of biodiversity to our country’s
sustainable development imperatives. Furthermore
during the 16th COP to CITES, discussions
relating to a possible trade, as an integral
part of South Africa’s long term conservation
strategy for rhinos, were initiated.
We will have to work
in partnership with stakeholders and experts
to ensure a feasible model for trade is
proposed at the next CoP in South Africa,
with due consideration of all the views
expressed by interested and affected stakeholders
in rhino conservation. Our appeal is that
this should not be viewed in isolation from
all our endeavours to save our rhinos.
South Africa cannot
continue to be held hostage by the syndicates
slaughtering our rhinos. We do have the
ability to make this scarce resource available
without impacting on the species, through
the implementation of a regulated trade
system. In addition, this will assist us
in further promoting the conservation of
the species and growing the population in
South Africa and other range States.
Our government recognizes
the role of the private sector and the NGO
community in the protection of this valuable
heritage and commit to working together
with all partners in maintaining our successful
conservation history.
The total number of
rhino poached in South Africa since the
beginning of the year has increased to 461.
