Oct 23, 2013 | News
On 29 November 2013, an amendment to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) will enter into force to allow regional economic integration organizations to accede to the Convention. This amendment, known as the ‘Gaborone Amendment’, was adopted in Gaborone, Botswana, 30 years ago, on 30 April 1983.
The Gaborone amendment defines regional economic integration organizations (REIO) as ‘organizations constituted by sovereign States which have competence in respect of the negotiation, conclusion and implementation of international agreements in matters transferred to them by their Member States and covered by this Convention. Currently, the only REIO with competence with respect to the matters regulated by CITES is the European Union.
Oct 23, 2013 | News
In Zimbabwe, individuals with mining rights can purchase cyanide from reputable chemical stores. Villagers in Tsholotsho are accused of having handed cyanide to individuals who poisoned more than 100 elephants over a period of two months.
Mr. Saviour Kasukuwere, the Zimbabwe Minister of Environment, Water and Climate visited the area recently and assured the villagers that the Minister of Home Affairs, Mr. Kembo Mohadi, had agreed not to prosecute if they handed over the cyanide still in their possession.
The newly elected MDC-T MP for Tsholotsho, Ms. Roselene Nkomo, has questioned Kasukuwere’s prospective pardon as premature and insists that the suspects must first come clean and reveal all the facts. She insists that one or more persons are responsible for the poaching, and that the government should get to the bottom of the issue before pardoning anybody.
The allegations are that the Zimbabwe government is covering up the poaching because of the possible involvement of politicians and influential businessmen.
Oct 23, 2013 | News
Wildlife Ranching South Africa (WRSA) is drawing its members’ attention to the proposed reopening of the land restitution claims process. It provides information documents on its website to landowners. The documents are recent and up to date. They reflect new provisions introduced by the Restitution of Land Rights Amendment Bill as well as the new Expropriation Bill. For more information visit http://www.wrsa.co.za
Oct 23, 2013 | News
RhinoDot Com is an information and network-oriented campaign that lobbies for the legalization of rhino horn. It recently compiled a document that addresses some of the interesting criticisms they receive against a proposed legal trade in rhino horn. These can be downloaded via the association for game farmers, Wildlife Ranching South Africa (WRSA) website at: http://www.wrsa.co.za/news/item/401-criticisms-of-a-legal-trade-in-rhino-horn
Sep 30, 2013 | News
The SAA has changed to a baggage policy that restricts the number of pieces of baggage a passenger may check in.
The new rules, applicable from 5 September 2013, limits and defines the number of baggage pieces a passenger may check-in, as well as the weight restrictions for each piece, according to route and class of travel. The excess baggage will be charged at a flat rate per rule broken, per piece. This means that if a piece of baggage is both overweight and oversize, two excess baggage charges will apply. Weight/size restrictions apply to all baggage pieces, including additional pieces over and above the baggage allowance. In addition, and to comply with airport loading equipment limits, SAA cannot accept any check-in items weighing more than 32kg. Passengers travelling on multi-sector/multi-carrier tickets and SAA code-share partner flights, i.e. tickets purchased from SAA for a flight with an SA flight number, but operated by another airline, should check with the other airlines to see which baggage policy is applicable. Details of the new policy can be viewed at www.flysaa.com.
Sep 30, 2013 | News
South Africa is busy establishing a central national database of active hunting industry professionals.
The objective is to, for the first time ever, develop and maintain a central national database for active, registered, licensed professional hunters and hunting outfitters, as well as PH School directors. The system is further intended to incorporate the ability of a person’s national registration, if that person’s permit to operate has been withdrawn in a specific province for reasons such as a gross violation of NEMBA (National Environmental Management Biodiversity Act). This will prevent the person from licensing in another province.
The concept is still in its baby shoes, and the Department of Environmental Affairs is still drafting regulations to facilitate the process, which will have to follow the normal RSA legislative process of consultation and public comment before implementation. This process may commence in 2013, but the implementation schedule is still uncertain.
As it currently stands the database will not replace the current need for professionals to license in all provinces in which they intend operating. The Professional Hunters Association of South Africa (PHASA) has welcomed the signing of the new National Environmental Management Laws Amendment Act into law, saying it is the first step towards one national permit system and issued the following statement which included the following: ‘The current system where professional hunters, outfitters and professional hunters’ school directors have to register in each province has proved to be an administrative nightmare and PHASA has been lobbying for a national register for many years. We hope it paves the way for the establishment of a national permit system, which would overcome the administrative burden of having to abide to nine provincial plus one national sets of legislation. It might also further close down any loopholes for abusing the system. The abuse of the permit system has blemished the reputation of the professional hunting industry and PHASA continues to work with the National Department of Environmental Affairs and other NGOs to look at other ways of stamping out illegal hunting activities.’
