Question NW3512 to the Minister of Environmental Affairs
13 November 2017 - NW3512
Purdon, Mr RK to ask the Minister of Environmental Affairs
(a) Why has the biotrade permit number IEP 005 of Schibuna Aloe not been renewed yet despite all documentation being submitted at least five months ago and (b) by what date will the renewal of the specified permits be finalised so that the business can continue to export aloe juice and pay its 213 aloe tappers; (2) what (a) measures has the department put in place to ensure that existing biotrade permits are not reassigned to businesses or individuals that do not comply with all the necessary standards and (b) steps will she take to ensure that the unnecessarily long delays in renewal of permits are resolved more efficiently in the future?
Reply:
(a) Schibuna Aloe’s application was subjected to internal processes which involves the evaluation by the Bioprospecting Advisory Committee (BAC) comprised of internal and external stakeholders and ensuing consultations with the applicant. Upon receipt of the recommendations by the BAC, key fundamental gaps on fair and equitable sharing of benefits with communities were identified which needed further engagement with the applicant.
(b) The issuing of the permit will be finalised as soon as the applicant has satisfactorily addressed the fair and equitable sharing of benefits with communities. (Approval has been given, however, for the applicant to continue with the export of aloe juice in the interim, pending the completion of these processes)
2. (a) The Bioprospecting Access and Benefit Sharing (BABS) Amendment Regulations provide the criteria that must be taken into consideration before a biotrade permit can be issued and /or renewed.
(b) The department places high value on the role of bioprospecting and biotrade in facilitating fairness and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the use of biological resources. Recent interventions include but are not limited to institutional strengthening, regulatory amendments and enhancement of the assessment processes.
NW3939E
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