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East Cape News (Grahamstown)
October 31, 2002
Cecile Greyling, Grahamstown
The East Cape Game Traders Association has made an urgent call on the government to get their house in order to avoid an international ban on trade in wildlife.
This follows reports yesterday that the ban by Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species (Cites) was likely to come into effect on April 1 next year unless South Africa promulgates new legislation. It was reported that three year ago Cites said South Africa, as a signatory, must change its biodiversity legislation by 31 March 2003 to comply with Cites requirements There is still old homeland legislation which has not been repealed. The South African nature conservation legislation is also fragmented and full of loopholes.
East Cape Game Traders Association chairperson Jokl (subs: Jokl) le Roux said the current legislation will have to be updated speedily.
His organisation yesterday alerted two of their affiliates, the SA Game Rangers Association and the Professional Hunters Association of South Africa.
He said a possible ban would impact on only a small part of the total industry. "I have requested more information but it seems the possible ban will impact only on people dealing in Cites 1 and Cites 2 animals such as lion, leopard, elephant and white rhino".
According to reports yesterday the trade ban would mean clients hunting cities 1 and 2 animals would not be able to take their trophies out of the country.
Le Roux said it would be sad day if Cites went through with its threat. "It will mean we are not part of Cites anymore. It took us years to get there in the first place".
The East Cape departmental chief director Albert Mfenyana could not be reached for comment.
October 31, 2002
Cecile Greyling, Grahamstown
The East Cape Game Traders Association has made an urgent call on the government to get their house in order to avoid an international ban on trade in wildlife.
This follows reports yesterday that the ban by Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species (Cites) was likely to come into effect on April 1 next year unless South Africa promulgates new legislation. It was reported that three year ago Cites said South Africa, as a signatory, must change its biodiversity legislation by 31 March 2003 to comply with Cites requirements There is still old homeland legislation which has not been repealed. The South African nature conservation legislation is also fragmented and full of loopholes.
East Cape Game Traders Association chairperson Jokl (subs: Jokl) le Roux said the current legislation will have to be updated speedily.
His organisation yesterday alerted two of their affiliates, the SA Game Rangers Association and the Professional Hunters Association of South Africa.
He said a possible ban would impact on only a small part of the total industry. "I have requested more information but it seems the possible ban will impact only on people dealing in Cites 1 and Cites 2 animals such as lion, leopard, elephant and white rhino".
According to reports yesterday the trade ban would mean clients hunting cities 1 and 2 animals would not be able to take their trophies out of the country.
Le Roux said it would be sad day if Cites went through with its threat. "It will mean we are not part of Cites anymore. It took us years to get there in the first place".
The East Cape departmental chief director Albert Mfenyana could not be reached for comment.
