Question NW1385 to the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
19 May 2023 - NW1385
Winkler, Ms HS to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
Whether Schedule 1 of the Meat Safety Act, Act 40 of 2000, which states that the specified Act also applies to all other species of animals not mentioned above, including birds, fish and reptiles that may be slaughtered as food for human and animal consumption, also includes lions and leopards; if not, why not; if so, what has she found to be the reasons of listing animals in Schedule 1, but then stating that in fact the meat safety Act applies to all species of animals?
Reply:
Yes, the schedule includes animals that may be listed as threatened species in accordance with conservation provisions, and therefore, their slaughter for human and animal consumption must be in line with the relevant conservation provisions and this covers lions and leopards. See attached draft amendment and the clarificatory notice.
The Schedule that Honourable Winkler is referring to was a draft amendment to the current Schedule 1, which was gazetted for public consultation. The process was not concluded due to a need to conduct further consultations and possible investigations before amending the Schedule.