trade in individual rhinoceros horns and any derivatives or products thereof
and the publication of draft norms and standards for the marking of rhinoceros
horns and hunting of white rhinoceros for trophy hunting purposes.
18 February 2009
Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, Mr Marthinus van Schalkwyk,
announced on Friday, 13 February 2009 the implementation of a national
moratorium on the trade in individual Rhinoceros horns and any derivatives or
products thereof within South Africa under Section 57(2) of the National
Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act, 2004 (Act No 10 of 2004) (NEMBA).
The moratorium will take effect immediately and will stay in place until
further notice (Gazette No. 31899).
On Friday, 13 February 2009, the department also published in Gazette No
31899 under Section 9(1) (a) of NEMBA draft norms and standards for the marking
of rhinoceros horn and the hunting of white rhinoceros for trophy hunting
purposes for public comment.
The procedure was published in July 2008 for comments as a schedule to the
draft moratorium. The department has since decided to augment this with further
legally binding mechanisms, which are the norms and standards. It was therefore
decided to publish the schedule on marking of rhino horn and management of
white rhino hunting trophies as norms and standards which can be enforced.
The various conservation authorities affected by rhino poaching have been
working with police to investigate poaching incidents. In a joint operation by
various disciplines of the South African Police Service (SAPS) including the
Mpumalanga, Limpopo and North West Organised Crime Units, the Gauteng
Provincial Task Team together with South African National Parks, 11 suspects
were arrested and charged in connection with rhino poaching earlier this
year.
The moratorium and draft norms and standards are steps that intend to
strengthen the current legislation and thus assist conservation authorities in
their efforts to combat rhino poaching.
Any person who wishes to submit written representations and/or objections to
the proposed norms and standards is invited to do so within 30 days of the
publication of this notice.
For further details on the above mentioned visit the link below: http://www.deat.gov.za/Documents/Documents/2009Feb17/markingofrhinoceros.pdf
All representations and comments must be submitted in writing to the
Director-General of the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism:
Media enquiries may be directed to:
Ms Roopa Singh
Tel: 012 310 3566
Cell: 082 225 3076
E-mail: rsingh@deat.gov.za
Ms Judy van der Merwe
Tel: 012 310 3309
Cell: 083 321 2617
E-mail: jvdmerwe@deat.gov.za
Issued by: Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism
18 February 2009
Source: Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism (http://www.deat.gov.za)
