The export of rhino horn could soon become a reality under the SA government’s new draft amendments outlining regulations for the domestic trade in rhino horn. Members of the public were invited to comment on the regulation by March 10.
Under the draft regulations a person will be allowed to sell or otherwise trade in, give, donate, buy, receive, accept as a gift, or in any way dispose of or acquire a rhinoceros horn, provided a permit has been issued in terms of Chapter 7 of the Biodiversity Act. The export permit must be endorsed by an environmental management inspector, or by an official from any other border law enforcement agency, mandated to perform this function.
According to CITES rules concerning international trade in Appendix I items for personal purposes, horns from such animals in the wild cannot be internationally traded if the use is primarily for commercial purposes. With the exception of hunting trophies of Southern White rhino, all rhino horn from the rhinos concerned in the draft regulations are treated as specimens of species included in Appendix I. A limited amount of non-commercial trade had taken place for a number of years, CITES said in a statement.
According to the Draft Regulations for the Domestic Trade in Rhinoceros Horn, or a part, product or derivative of Rhinoceros Horn, exporting rhino horn will be limited to a single port of entry. “A person may not export rhinoceros horn via any port of entry or exit other than OR Tambo International Airport.” Also included in the amendment is that rhino horn may not be exported as hand baggage.
The draft amendment also states that rhino horn may not be exported unless the export permit has been endorsed by an environmental management inspector, or by an official from any other border law enforcement agency mandated to perform this function.
The regulations will take effect on a date to be determined by Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs Edna Molewa, by notice in the Government Gazette.
