THE RECLASSIFICATION OF WILD ANIMALS AS FARMED ANIMALS SUCCESSFULLY CHALLENGED IN THE HIGH COURT OF SOUTH AFRICA

On the 17th of May 2019, Senzeni Zokwana former Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries made an amendment to the Animal Improvement Act, 1998 (Act No. 62 of 1998) (AIA) to include 33 wild mammal species, to those commonly bred by wildlife ranchers, under Table 7 of these regulations.

“The AIA is enacted to provide for the breeding, identification and utilisation of genetically superior animals in order to improve the food production and performance of animals in the interest of the Republic”.

Download the Gazetted Act:

This amendment meant that the 33 species, including black and white rhino, cheetah, giraffe, lion and 28 indigenous and non-indigenous wildlife species were in affect treated in the same manner as farmed animals, in so far as the recognition of breeders rights was concerned. The amendment to include these 33 wild mammal species under Table 7 of the AIA was driven by the wildlife farming industry to grow the wildlife economy.

The Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT) a non-profit organisation and the SA Hunters and Game Conservation Association (SA Hunters) legally challenged and overturned the amendment to the Animal Improvement Act (AIA) which reclassified 33 wild species including lions, rhinos and giraffes as “landrace breeds” or farmed animals. This amendment was driven by the wildlife breeding and ranching industry to facilitate commercial, intensive breeding.

READ THE FULL JUDGEMENT:

Image: https://images.app.goo.gl/XqVLMSrngTUScpgq6

©EMS Foundation 2023. All Rights Reserved.