International plea to panel on legal rhino trade risks

WHAT do a Chilean scientist, an environmental prosecutor from the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), an Oxford University professor and a Tanzanian conservation ecologist have in common?

They are among 33 signatories – who also include economists, scientists, animal activists and journalists from across the globe – who have written an impassioned open letter to the committee of inquiry that is deliberating whether to seek a resumption of the controversial trade in rhino horn. They urge the committee to take the “expertise of international, relevant stakeholders” into consideration.

Those who signed the letter include Chilean scientist Professor Cristian Bonacic, Antoinette Ferreira from the NPA, Professor Claudio Sillero from Oxford University, and Tanzanian ecologist Fortunata Msoffe.

The letter is addressed to Nana Magomola, chairwoman of the committee, and the Minister of Environmental Affairs, Edna Molewa.

The 22-member committee has until September to reach its verdict.

The letter says: “The poaching crisis is a matter of national and international concern, and decisions made in South Africa will have global repercussions on biodiversity, security of countries and countrysides, livelihoods in rural areas and economies at broader scales.”

If South Africa decides to apply for the right to trade, a vote will be taken next year at the 17th Conference of the Parties (CoP17) of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, to be held in Cape Town.

But the writers say: “A decision to propose trade by South Africa… will almost certainly increase current as well as future rhino poaching risk.

“A proposal that fails to receive the support of the parties due to unsound justification could result in reputational damage to South Africa.”

The writers note that, “any trade – or even a proposal to trade – in southern white rhino will have negative consequences for less common rhino species, subspecies and populations”.

A proposal by South Africa for legalising trade in rhino horn would undermine the enforcement of trade bans and efforts to reduce demand in China and Vietnam.

“Efforts need to be enhanced to match the organised criminal threat with intelligence-led targeting of priority criminals and their networks.

“There are serious regulatory and ethical implications for organisations and governments who promote the international trade in a product that has no proven medicinal benefits, but which is sold to people suffering from acute and chronic illness.”

The writers urge the government to consider the lack of a full scientific and peer-reviewed evaluation of market structures involved in the trade.