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World |
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Trade |
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All Rhino Species |
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COP 10 Harare. The 10th Conference of the Parties to CITES (COP 10) met in Harare, Zimbabwe from 9 to 20 June 1997. The meeting was attended by approximately 1500 people from all over the world.
South Africa was represented by a delegation consisting of the Deputy Minister, the High Commissioner in Harare and representatives of the Department, Foreign Affairs and four provinces.
South Africa submitted three proposals for discussion at the COP 10, viz:
1. Transfer of Protea odorata (Swartland Sugarbush) from Appendix 1 to Appendix 11.
2. Transfer of Orothamnus zeyheri (Marsh rose) from Appendix 1 to Appendix 11.
3. Amendment to the annotation of the listing of the white rhinoceros population of South Africa in Appendix II.
The first two proposals were accepted by consensus.
As was expected, the proposal to amend the annotation of the listing of the white rhinoceros population in Appendix II generated a lively discussion. When it was brought to the vote in Committee 1, it was decided to go for a 'show of hands' instead of a 'secret ballot'. In retrospect this was probably not the right decision as the result of 60 in favour and 32 op- posed was a single vote short of the required two-thirds majority. Various countries then urged South Africa to re-open the proposal for voting only during Plenary Session the next day and request a 'secret ballot'. This was done and the result proved to be a major disappointment in that 16 countries changed their position over-night and voted against the proposal.
However, the result of the voting does not have any influence on the position of the South African white rhinoceros population, as the status quo is maintained. South Africa can still export live animals as well as hunting trophies. South Africa will now discuss with potential importing countries the possible development of a system which will provide for strictly controlled legal trade in rhinoceros horn. Should such a system be developed it will then be submitted to a future meeting of the Conference of the Parties to CITES for approval.
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The real story in Harare (Cites)
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