Alien and Invasive Species Regulations National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act (2004) Presentation to Southern Cape AIS Forum 24 June, 2015 Yolanda Nodendwa - Biosecurity – Dept of Environmental Affairs Permits

Why do we issue permits? Regulate imports To regulate the import of alien and listed invasive species into the country. Regulate invasives inside South Africa To regulate Category 2 invasive species within the country.

When are permits issued? The Issuing Authority issues permits for: The carrying out of a restricted activity involving a specimen of an alien or a listed invasive species.

For which activities? Possession Selling ConveyingImporting Research Breeding

What species need permits?

Invasive Species Categories Category 1a Listed Invasive Species  Take immediate steps to combat, or eradicate where possible. Category 1b Listed Invasive Species  Control the listed invasive species. Category 2 Listed Invasive Species  Utilization allowed under Permit conditions.  Control outside of the Permit conditions. Category 3 Listed Invasive Species  Subject to certain prohibitions (e.g. sell)  Category 3 plant specimens in riparian areas are treated as Category 1b.

What is Category 2 invader?

Six gum trees are Category 2  Eucalyptus camaldulensis - River red gum  Eucalyptus cladocalyx - Sugar gum  Eucalyptus conferruminata - Spider gum  Eucalyptus diversicolor - Karri  Eucalyptus grandis - Saligna gum  Eucalyptus tereticornis - Forest red gum

Circumstances that need NO intervention A gum tree is exempted if it is:  50m from a homestead  In an urban area with a 400mm diameter stem  Standing in cultivated land…  In a formal plantation  In Nama Karoo, Succulent Karoo or Desert Biomes All exemptions fall away if the gum tree is in (1)a riparian area or (2) a protected area

Who issues permits? Issue Category 2 and alien species (new introductions) Permits Provincial Ordinance Provincial Ordinance National Regulations National Regulations Permits Western Cape

NEMBA AIS permitting process Relevant province &Experts are consulted Permit application is approved with conditions or rejected Permit posted or collected Submit application accompanied by risk assessment Submit application accompanied by risk assessment Processing fee paid Permit issued with conditions The applicant informed of the outcome

Permits for alien species coming into SA Risk Assessment Review Panel Provinces Specialists National Government Recommendations are made… Decision on issuing permit

restrictedactivities_alienandlistedinvasivespecies.pdf Permit Application Form

Current permit application fees The current fees for permits and appeals: * Import into the Republic - R200 per species * All restricted activities - R100 per species * Renewal of permit - R50 per species * Appeals - R50 per species Tokay gecko (Gekko gecko)

Integrated Online Permitting System Individual Applicant Authority 1 – National Authority 2 – Provincial Authority 3 - Local Integrated Permitting System Future integrated permitting system

Provinces will continue to control trout Provincial controls over trout will therefore continue in the interim, until a decision is made about amending the AIS Regulations to include these two species.

Mr Khathushelo Nelukalo National Issuing Authority Biosecurity Services Directorate Department of Environmental Affairs 14 Loop Street, Cape Town Tel: /2748 Fax: Cell: National Issuing Authority

Green iguana (Iguana iguana) – Category 2 Thank you