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jenkinsr
on Mon, 01/28/2019 - 14:16
General Information
Resolution
46517
Period covered
Activities to implement this Resolution from Activity Reports
| Relevant operative para(s) of Res/Rec | Activities Overview | Description | Status | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Policy influencing/advocacy | A scientific symposium on selective breeding of wild animals for commercial purposes was conducted in Namibia in 2016 to help the Ministry with obtaining professional and objective advice to deal with the increasing practice of selective breeding. The symposium was attended by local and international wildlife conservation and population genetics experts including the co-chairpersons of the antelope specialist group of IUCN. The key finding of the symposium was that intensive and selective breeding has negative impact on the wild populations although impact of genetic manipulation manifest itself over time. The key threat also identified is the impact the practice has on habitat fragmentation, and persecution of predators, mainly leopard and cheetah that prey on the selectively bred animals. The professional hunters association of Namibia (NAPHA) distanced themselves from the practice of selective breeding and openly condemn it as an unethical practice. They specifically distanced themselves from the practice because of the claims made by the breeders that they are breeding animals for the hunting market. Current conservation legislation in Namibia does not make provision for regulating or controlling the practice of selective breeding as it dates back to 1970s. In the absence of the legal provisions, the selective breeders have been organising themselves as an important part of the game ranching industry. To counter the unintended conservation implications of the practice, the Ministry is in the process of developing a modern conservation law that will strictly regulate the practice of selective breeding. As part of that process of creating a legal framework to address the issue, a policy on selective breeding of wildlife for commercial purposes will be developed in the 2018/2019 financial year. (Note: Provided by Kenneth Uiseb, Ministry of Environment and Tourism, Namibia, in Feb 2018 but too late for the 2017 report) |
On-going | Full activity report | |
| Scientific/technical activities | 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. | Completed | Full activity report |
Actors involved from Activity Reports
| IUCN Members | IUCN Commissions | IUCN Secretariat | Other non-IUCN related organisations |
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Challenges / lessons learned from Activity Reports
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Report status
Published
I. IUCN Constituencies implementing this Resolution
IUCN Members
9109EBA2-B8A3-E011-96D3-002655853524
IUCN Commissions
5B1D7F64-8114-E211-8DEB-002655853524
IUCN Secretariat
No
II. Implementation
Activities carried out to implement this Resolution
Convene stakeholders/Networking
Policy influencing/advocacy
Scientific/technical activities
Describe the results/achievements of the activities
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.
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.
Challenges/obstacles encountered in the implementation of this Resolution and measures taken
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.
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.
Future actions / activities 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.
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/activities planned?
No
III. Status of implementation
Implementation status of this Resolution
Underway: implementation well-advanced