Cabinet applauded for not legalising rhino horn trade
The Endangered Wildlife Trust has applauded Cabinet for not pursuing the option of legalising the trade of rhino horn.
This after a commission of inquiry spent 18 months evaluating government’s options in addressing the scourge of rhino poaching. The trust’s Yolan Friedmann says the commission included a number of experts in a range of fields including organised crime and the rhino horn trade.
Friedmann feels legalising the trade will not help conservation efforts.
"There are almost no examples worldwide where legalising the trade of endangered species' parts has in fact led to their conservation, " she said.
"You also have to understand that putting together a legalised component of a rhino such as its horn into the market opens up the market exponentially to laundering because it becomes almost impossible to trace the legal versus illegal products," Friedmann said.
The trust commended Environmental Affairs Minister, Edna Molewa, for establishing the commission.
(File photo)