Pretoria - Environmental Affairs Minister Edna Molewa has welcomed the lifting of an embargo which prevented the transportation of legally acquired hunting trophies of the African lion, African elephant, rhinoceros and tiger.
“The decision by South African Airways (SAA) Cargo to lift the two month-long temporary embargo is the result of the national carrier being satisfied that sufficient measures are in place by the Department of Environmental Affairs to prevent the illegal transportation of illegally acquired wildlife specimens in general, and illegally acquired hunting trophies in particular,” the Department of Environmental Affairs said on Thursday.
The decision to lift the embargo was reached after extensive engagement between the department and SAA since the embargo was announced on 20 April 2015.
“During the past six years, the department put in place a variety of measures to eradicate illegal exploitation and trade in endangered species and their products. “This has included the deployment of Environmental Management Inspectors (EMI’s), commonly known as the Green Scorpions, at OR Tambo International Airport (ORTIA) since 1 April 2015,” the department said.
The department has endeavoured to ensure that loopholes that may have existed in the current regulations enabling the illegal transportation of wildlife through South African ports, have now been closed.
“It should be remembered that hundreds of legally acquired wildlife specimens, such as hunting trophies, pass through our main ports of entry and exit monthly without incident, penalising an entire industry for the illegal actions of the few is not in the country’s best interests,” said Minister Molewa.
She said that the sustainable utilisation of species, including legal hunting, has historically played a significant role in the growth of populations of species, including lion, elephant and rhino.
“The legal, well-regulated hunting industry in South Africa is valued at around R6.2 billion a year and is a source of much needed foreign exchange, job creation, community development and social upliftment,” the department said.
The department said the decision by certain airlines and cargo handlers to issue a ban on the transportation of hunting trophies incorrectly failed to distinguish between the trade in and transportation of legally acquired wildlife specimens, and the illegal trade in wildlife specimens.
The department said it will continue to engage other airlines and shipping companies who have put embargoes in place on the transport of legally obtained hunting trophies from Africa. – SAnews.gov.za
