She also briefed the committee on the Terms of Reference and composition of the Committee of Inquiry appointed to evaluate existing measures to combat rhino poaching, and evaluate additional, supplementary measures: including the possibility of a legal trade in rhino horn or not.
She re-emphasised the departments' commitment to address these issues through various actions, including:
The minister re-emphasised that the possibility of trade or not will be considered by the Committee of Inquiry in the context of the government's Integrated Strategic Management of Rhinoceros. This is the government's holistic, multi-pronged approach to tackle wildlife crime, and in particular, rhino poaching. The interventions implemented to date will continue and will be enhanced.
She informed the Portfolio Committee that a smaller group of experts initially worked on the issue during 2014. The notion of a panel of experts was subsequently abandoned, and a Committee of Inquiry appointed to deliver on the broader scope of work contained in the Terms of Reference. The Committee of Inquiry was announced on 10 February 2015.
The minister indicated that the Committee of Inquiry would provide a report at the end of September 2015. The Inter-Ministerial Committee appointed by Cabinet will consider the report and make final recommendations to Cabinet.
If the Committee's recommendation is that a proposal for trade should be submitted for consideration to the 17th Conference of Parties (CoP17) to CITES, a proposal will be prepared six months prior to the CoP, slated for September/October 2016.
Consultation with CITES Parties, and more specifically, with range states that may be affected by a possible proposal, will form part of the process that will be initiated when a recommendation has been approved by Cabinet. This will also include alignment with the requirements contained in the relevant CITES resolutions.
