SADC FLORA AND FAUNA TRADING AT $340M A YEAR

IN OCTOBER last year at a parliamentary briefing on the preparations for Cites COP18, Mpho Tjiane, deputy director of Cites policy development and implementation at the DEA, said it had done a trade analysis for the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to highlight the importance of trade to the region.

The total financial value of Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (Cites) listed exports from the SADC was estimated to be $340 million (R4.8 billion) a year.

While it was expected most of the trading would be in plants and hunting trophies, the analysis revealed otherwise.

“The African grey parrot dominated the market, used as a pet in Asian countries and Middle East countries, estimated at $278 million. The aloe ferox, used for many plant-based products, and Nile crocodile skin, used for belts in European and Asian markets, were exported in large quantities.”

Animal welfare needed to be considered in decisions to trade wildlife, remarked Karen Trendler, the manager of the wildlife trade and trafficking unit at the NSPCA.

“Any proposals that involve breeding, farming, trading or live animals and parts will have a welfare implication. Cites is a trade organisation and does not focus or address welfare yet its decisions have a direct impact on the welfare of wild animals,” said Trendler.

Live trade and the export of wild animals is a major concern for the NSPCA in looking at Cites issues.

“Many of the countries where animals are being exported do not have welfare legislation. Rhino and lion, for example, are increasingly being exported with significant welfare concerns and cruelty.” | Sheree Bega

Kim Da Ribiera of Outraged SA Citizens Against Poaching, warned legal trade would allow illegal trade to flourish.

She welcomed the announcement of a high-level panel which will review the implementation of the recommendations of the inquiry into the feasibility of a legal rhino horn trade and any future decisions affecting trade-related proposals to Cites.

“We should be less concerned about pushing for trade and more concerned about addressing corruption and putting our own house in order.”