Change for the better

THE recent lifting of the ban on rhino horn trading is not only welcome, but should not have been implemented.

Rhino horns are no different to any animal species, and poaching will continue regardless of whether a ban on trade is in place or not. Stock theft happens every day, so stopping the sale of livestock will not prevent stock theft.

In fact, the ban simply boosts desirability, exclusivity and makes it more lucrative for purposes of trade.

Rhino horn can be harvested or trimmed from living rhinos, and such horns will simply grow again. The case of antler horns is well known, and such trade is permitted.

As for rhino breeders, many spend millions on security and breeding such animals, so why should such breeders be deprived of selling the horns legally on the open market? As for the buyers, no one questions a buyer paying a massive price for any exotic or branded item, so why should we question what reasons or uses these horns are put to?

People in South Africa are paying millions for wild game, with the highest price being R176 million for a buffalo bull (a quarter share was sold for R44m).

The trade in rhino horn will encourage more farmers to get into breeding, reduce illicit demand and hopefully regularise the industry, with buyers and sellers dealing directly and more money flowing in the little towns.

The government can even set up an exchange where such legally obtained horns are auctioned to registered buyers, similar to how diamonds were once sold by De Beers. Blood diamonds are a common feature yet no one has called for a ban on the diamond trade.

This is long overdue.