Mixed reaction to rhino trade ruling
Private rhino breeder, John Hume says yesterday's ruling allowing the trade of rhino horn in South Africa is aimed at protecting the animals from poaching.
The High Court in Pretoria yesterday lifted the ban because of insufficient public consultation.
A full bench of the high court granted the order to Hume and another breeder Johan Kruger to overturn the moratorium which came into effect in 2009.
Hume feels more animals would be killed if the ban was not lifted.
''Whilst the government may well appeal the decision, don't forget we will still need a permit to sell rhino horn and the government will put certain conditions on the trade of rhino horn. I only hope that they will take that rhino into account,'' he said.
Meanwhile Allison Thomson with Outraged South African Citizens against Poaching disagrees.
''The implications are about the risk of increasing poaching of rhino could increase dramatically pushing them towards the towards extension faster,'' she said.
(File photo)