Information Sessions on Threatened and Protected Species Regulations ...

South African Ministry of Environmental Affairs and Tourism

For immediate release
STATEMENT BY THE OFFICE OF MARTHINUS VAN SCHALKWYK, MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS AND TOURISM, 4 MAY 2007

Threatened and Protected Species Regulations -
to come into force on 1 February 2008

On the 20th of February 2007, Marthinus Van Schalkwyk, Minister of Environmental Affairs & Tourism, announced the new Threatened and Protected Species Regulations. After presentations by some Provincial MECs around challenges in implementing these regulations by 1 June 2007, the Minister has decided that these regulations will come into force on 1 February 2008.

No further postponement will be considered. The Minister would like to call on all stakeholders to ensure that they are ready for the implementation on 1 February 2008. In the interim, applicants are encouraged to apply for registration of facilities, as well as for elephant ivory, and for possession permits of, for example, cycad species. Even though permits will only be issued after 1 February, early submission of applications will avoid congestion and aid compliance.

Enquiries: Riaan Aucamp - 083 778 9923

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Below are the specific venues for the information seminars on Threatened or Protected species regulations. Copies of the regulations as well as the implementation guidelines are obtainable from Amanda Dana (see contact details below).

Pietermaritzburg
Venue: Queen Elizabeth Park
Date & Time: 10 May 2007 (Government officials only)- 14h00-16h00
Date & Time: 11 May 2007 (Stakeholders and the General Public)- 09h00
till 16h00

Pretoria
Venue: CSIR- Ruby Auditorium
Date: 14 May 2007
Time: 07h30-15h30

Grahamstown
Venue: Grahamstown Foundation-Thomas Pringle
Date: 15 May 2007
Time: 09h00-16h00

Cape Town
Venue: Cape Sun
Date: 16 May 2007
Time: 09h00-16h00

Bloemfontein
Venue: Bains Game Lodge
Date: 17 May 2007
Time: 09h00-16h00

Nelspruit
Venue: Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency (MTPA)- Auditorium
Date: 18 May 2007
Time: 09h00-16h00

Polokwane
Venue: Oasis Lodge
Date: 21 May 2007
Time: 09h00-16h00

Kimberly
Venue: Langberg Gasteplaas
Date: 22 May 2007
Time: 09h00-16h00

Contact Person:
(from whom further information and copies of the regulations and an implementation guideline can be obtained)
Amanda Dana
adana@deat.gov.za
+27 12 310 3969