Legal rhino horn trading back on table

They are the who's who in the war against rhino poaching - 21 men and women who will assess the pros and cons of legalising the trade in rhino horn.

Environmental Affairs Minister Edna Molewa yesterday announced a committee of inquiry that will investigate the feasibility of legal rhino horn trading ahead of the 17th Conference of Parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora next year.

The committee will include members of NGOs, scientists, law enforcement and conservation officers, and the private sector.

Its recommendations will be made to an inter-ministerial committee before the end of the year.

As well as examining the rhino horn trade, the committee will make recommendations on new ways of combating rhino poachers, including:

• Improving intelligence on the movement of poachers;
• The establishment of special protection zones; and
• Increasing the involvement of communities in conservation by providing them with economic opportunities derived from wildlife management.

Molewa said the public could submit recommendations to the committee and could find out how to do so on the Department of Environmental Affairs website.