Mon, 28 Sep 2009 15:22

The environmental affairs department on Monday welcomed the Free State High Court's dismissal of an application by lion breeders for leave to appeal a decision on captive bred lions.

"This latest judgment strengthens the department's resolve to responsible, regulated and sustainable hunting practices," said Albi Modise, department spokesperson, in a statement.

Modise said while hunting makes a substantial and positive contribution to conservation management and economic growth, the department also had a responsibility to preserve the resource base and ensure the industry had a sustainable future.

"Hunting is an important industry but we must manage it in accordance with defensible standards," he said.

The SA Predator Breeders Association brought an application in May 2007 taking the environment minister to court over certain aspects of the Threatened or Protected Species (TOPS) regulations, which came into effect in February 2008.

The association challenged, amongst others, the inclusion of lion as a listed large predator and the 24-month period in which captive bred lions had to fend for themselves in an extensive wildlife system before they could be hunted.

It was argued that the regulations would have a particularly great impact on the captive bred lion industry in the Free State and North West provinces.

It was also submitted that the 24-months self sustaining provision would destroy the industry with negative economic and social impacts.

The court found against the lion breeders on 11 June this year and dismissed an application for leave to appeal last Friday.

Modise said the department would now focus on achieving its original intention of listing lions as a large predator subject to TOPS regulations.

The SA Predator Breeders Association chairperson Carel van Heerden indicated that members would meet this week to discuss the latest developments.

http://news.iafrica.com/sa/1729750.htm