Question NW2342 to the Minister of Environmental Affairs

Reply:

(1) (a) and (b)

The export of carcasses is managed through the provisions of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) as well as the CITES regulations (Government Notice No. R. 173 of 5 March 2010 refers) that were promulgated in terms of section 97 of the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act, 2004 (Act No. 10 of 2004) (NEM:BA).

Since specimens of the African lion (Panthera leo) are listed in Appendix II of the Convention; according to Article IV of the Convention, read with regulation 6(3)(c) of the CITES Regulations, the Scientific Authority of South Africa is mandated to advise if export of lion carcasses will not be detrimental to the survival of the species or otherwise. Additionally, the Management Authority of the South Africa must be satisfied that the specimen was not obtained in contravention of the laws of the Country for the protection of fauna and flora.

Currently, in terms of CITES, there is no registration and vetting requirements for lion bone exporters. Notwithstanding and as part of the application requirements, proof of legal acquision of the carcasses is mandatory.

In implementing the annotation to the CITES listing of lion, the Scientific Authority had played a crucial role in establishment of the 2017 annual export quota for lion skeletons, and as one of its functions, is currently assisting with monitoring trade thereof. Since the Convention requires an annual establishment of export quota, this process will be used as an assessment tool and mitigation measure for possible detrimental impacts associated with trade in these specimen.

(2)

Although, in terms of CITES, there are no specific requirements for being an exporter, export of lion bone is regulated through the provisions of CITES and a system of permits in accordance with section 88 of NEMBA, 2004. However, your attention is drawn to the following annotation included in the CITES listing of lion, which prohibits commercial trade in wild sourced specimen of lion as part of the quota:

“For Panthera leo (African populations): a zero annual export quota is established for specimens of bones, bone pieces, bone products, claws, skeletons, skulls and teeth removed from the wild and traded for commercial purposes. Annual export quotas for trade in bones, bone pieces, bone products, claws, skeletons, skulls and teeth for commercial purposes, derived from captive breeding operations in South Africa, will be established and communicated annually to the CITES Secretariat.”

The following procedure is currently being implemented for the management of the 800 export quota in 2017:

• • • • The quota is be managed at a national level
      • Applications for individuals lodged according to Regulation 3(4) of the CITES Regulations, read with section 87A (2) of NEMBA are lodged with the Provincial permit issuing authorities
      • Upon receipt of the application to export the skeleton, the province evaluates the application and determines whether the relevant permit can be issued
      • The province confirms with the Department whether a quota is available
      • If available, the Department will allocate a quota to the provincial authority
      • Skeletons will be packed separately at source (CBO/hunting farm), weighed, tagged and a DNA sample will be taken
      • Should the application be successful, export permit will be issued
      • Quota numbers will be indicated on all permits (e.g. killing/ hunting/ selling/ buying/ transporting/ exporting)
      • During export, the consignment will be inspected (and weighed) and permit endorsed at port of exit; random DNA samples will be collected.

---ooOoo---