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INTERVENTIONS TO COMBAT ILLEGAL ACTIVITIES RELATING TO RHINO; AND RECOMMENDATIONS EMANATING FROM THE NATIONAL CONSULTATION PROCESS TO FACILITATE A COMMON UNDERSTANDING OF KEY ISSUES CONCERNING THE PROTECTION AND SUSTAINABLE CONSERVATION OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN RHINO POPULATION PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE 20 MARCH 2013
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2. PURPOSE To brief Portfolio Committee on: To seek PC’s support in:
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PURPOSE
To brief Portfolio Committee on:
the main recommendations based on the outcomes of an extensive national stakeholder consultation process;
the preliminary assessment of the feasibility to implement the recommendations.
To seek PC’s support in:
In implementing some of the proposed interventions to reduce the illegal killing of rhino
MPs to initiate discussions relating to a possible global trade in Rhino horn in relevant forums(e.g Pan African Parliament, EU Parliament , Consumer States Parliaments etc).
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RHINO POPULATIONS
By 2012, South Africa was home to 83 per cent of Africa’s rhinos and just under 75 per cent of all rhinos world-wide
White rhino population = (Growth rate = 6.8%)
Black rhino population = (Growth rate = 5.6%)
The South African rhino population merit special protection and decisive actions to ensure its long term survival.
The rhino population in South Africa is being threatened by an upsurge in the illegal killing of rhinos, with 668 rhinos lost to poaching during 2012.
158 Rhinos killed thus far in 2013
The national response must be comprehensive and multi-dimensional
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BACKGROUND
The appointment of an Issue Manager to facilitate stakeholder engagements relating to the protection and sustainable conservation of the South African rhino population. The outcomes of these engagements included recommendations relating to conservation, safety and security, and trade
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5. NATIONAL CONSULTATION PROCESS
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NATIONAL CONSULTATION PROCESS
Extensive stakeholder consultation process: To facilitate a common understanding of key issues concerning the protection and sustainable conservation of the South African rhino population
Took place over a period of 6 months and resulted in recommendations on:
Funding,
Rhino conservation,
Safety and security, and
Commerce (trade)
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6. KEY RECOMMENDATIONS (i)
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KEY RECOMMENDATIONS (i)
FUNDING
Develop and implement a funding model for the conservation of the South African rhino population
There is a need to establish a National Rhino Fund and the department, in consultation with National Treasury, will explore the establishment of such fund
2. CONSERVATION
Identify and support implementation of suitable and safe rhino ranges inside and outside South Africa with a view to optimizing species conservation and persistence in the wild
Develop rhino exchange programs with other African rhino range states
The implementation of the Biodiversity Management Plan (BMP) for black rhino will facilitate the implementation of these recommendations. The development of a BMP for white rhino has been initiated. BMPs are aimed at the long term survival of the species and range expansion forms an integral part of the long term conservation strategy for the species.
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7. KEY RECOMMENDATIONS (ii)
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KEY RECOMMENDATIONS (ii)
3. SAFETY AND SECURITY
Review the existing rhino security strategy to deal with emerging issues.
Increase the number and capability of field rangers assigned to rhino protection
Focus on communities living adjacent to Protected Areas (PAs) for the hiring and training of field rangers
Deploy Field Rangers to private rhino-holding properties
Use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) or drones in selected PAs
Build a comprehensive intelligence network aimed at securing the cooperation of communities living adjacent to PAs
Set up and immediately implement a centralized permitting system and database for live rhino sales, rhino horn sales and hunts.
Undertake a comprehensive rhino dehorning exercise across South Africa. NOTE: Dehorning study indicated that dehorning is only a viable security intervention in small populations with increased security
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8. KEY RECOMMENDATIONS (iii)
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KEY RECOMMENDATIONS (iii)
4. COMMERCE AND TRADE
Announce the government’s intention to authorize commercial farming of Rhinoceros
Comments: This matter will be consulted with MINMEC and Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries to determine the full scope of the implications relating to the implementation of the recommendation. The implementation of this recommendation will have an impact on all species management activities and could move the management of all species in intensive systems (farming systems) to DAFF, with legislative and conservation implications. Long term and broader legal and conservation implications should be considered.
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9. KEY RECOMMENDATIONS (iv)
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KEY RECOMMENDATIONS (iv)
4. COMMERCE AND TRADE
Minister to announce intention to lift the moratorium on domestic trade in Rhino horn.
Comments: Not supported. Legal process to be adhered to. A feasibility study was undertaken by the Department and recommended the following based on the study:
The process to repeal the national moratorium can be initiated when the following have been implemented:
A secure, national electronic permitting system and Rhino database developed and implemented;
A mechanism / system to control legal trade in South Africa, provided for in terms of national legislation;
Compliance by all Rhino owners with the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act, 2004 (Act 10 of 2004) and its sub-ordinate legislation;
A decision relating to international trade in Rhino horn has been made and process initiated.
Note: A public participation process must be undertaken in terms of NEMBA before Minister can repeal the moratorium. 
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10. KEY RECOMMENDATIONS (v)
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KEY RECOMMENDATIONS (v)
4. COMMERCE AND TRADE
Authorize sale of farmed horn through auctions or other appropriate mechanisms
Comments: Note concerns raised relating to Recommendation relating to commercial farming. These concerns to be addressed. (NOTE: The authorisation of the sale of only farmed horn will exclude all rhino horn derived from natural mortalities and originating from protected areas and other extensive systems. This is not supported – it should be inclusive.)
DEA to announce its intention of applying for the lifting of the trade ban in Rhino horn
Comments: Cabinet approval granted to initiate discussions. Bilateral engagements were held during CITES CoP 16 to obtain more information relating to the global view on a possible trade; to identify possible trade partners and discuss their willingness to amend legislative provisions to allow for trade; and the proposed mechanism for trade. PC to participate in this process
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11. RECOMMENDATIONS It is recommended that PC notes:
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RECOMMENDATIONS
It is recommended that PC notes:
the main recommendations based on the outcomes of an extensive national stakeholder consultation process;
the preliminary assessment of the feasibility to implement the recommendations;
Support the intention to initiate discussions relating to a possible global trade in Rhino horn by engaging other parliamentarians.
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12. THANK YOU