Question NW3225 to the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment

Winkler, Ms HS to ask the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment

(1) With regard to the Ministerial Task Team (MTT) in captive lion and closure of the captive lion industry (details furnished), what (a) is the status and progress of the MTT to date and (b) are the reasons for the removal within a few hours of a much welcomed and applauded social media post by her department announcing the closure of the captive lion breeding and highlighting the cruelty and reputational risks; (2) whether the removal of the social media post indicates that her department has reneged on its - intention to close the captive lion breeding industry; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the reasons; (3) whether her department has been put under pressure by the captive lion breeders to not close the industry; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details; (4) whether she intends to use the wellbeing clause of the National Environmental Management Laws Amendment Act, Act 2 of 2022, which allows for the Minister to declare some activities as prohibited when welfare risks are high, to declare the captive lion breeding a prohibited activity in the near future; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?