Indicate which actions have been carried out to implement this Resolution :
Convene stakeholders/Networking
Policy influencing/advocacy
Scientific/technical activities
Describe the results/achievements of the actions taken:
A panel of scientists appointed by the Scientific Authority completed an assessment of the risks of intensive and selective breeding of wildlife to biodiversity and the biodiversity economy; this report was subject to peer review by independent scientists, amendments were made and the final report was presented to the Scientific Authority in late 2018. The Scientific Authority accepted the report and have forwarded to the Department of Environmental Affairs who will through the Wildlife Forum and Gazette notice invite comment from the wildlife industry and public. Based on the outcomes of the public participation process the final report may be amended.
The scientific assessment and workshoping processes concluded that intensive management and selective breeding of game poses a number of significant risks to biodiversity at landscape, ecosystem and species levels, as well as to other sectors of the biodiversity economy of South Africa and Namibia, and may compromise the current and future contribution of the wildlife industry to biodiversity conservation. These assessments have identified several important direct risks and impacts on biodiversity at different scales, as well as indirect collateral negative impacts on conservation and the broader wildlife economy.
What challenges/obstacles have been encountered in the implementation of this Resolution and how were they overcome :
The challenges of 2017 remain: Given the economic drivers for intensive and selective breeding there are always going to be tensions and challenges between regulators and industry.
One of the main challenges at present is for governments to have a full understanding of the risks, and therefore justification for and an appreciation of regulatory and market-based approaches required. This will be partially addressed for South Africa when the Scientific Authority release their report and recommendations in 2018, and when Namibia gazette their new environmental legislation. The other key challenge is to ensure greater transparency regarding activities and products to allow for effective consumer choice e.g. for a prospective hunter to know that the animal in a ‘wild’ area was released there from a captive facility where artificial selection for horn and body size was practiced etc. Presently there is no ready way for hunters or other consumers to get this information. An overarching challenge is that there is no effective subregional or international coordination or reporting mechanism in place.
Briefly describe what future actions are needed for the implementation of this Resolution:
Create a uniform and coherent legal and regulatory framework, within and across countries, to manage the risks associated with this practice.
Develop an effective certification system to allow for consumer choice and for effective incentives for landowners undertaking conservation-compatible practices.
Establish an effective international forum or forums (at least at a subregional scale) to discuss issues and recommend common approaches.
The Department of Environmental Affairs in South Africa will assess whether any regulatory changes are required based on the report findings; the Namibian government are still in the process of reviewing legislation.
Are these actions planned for yet:
