Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Minister, Ms Barbara Creecy, is to appoint a Ministerial Task Team to identify voluntary exit options and pathways for lion breeders from the captive lion industry.

The appointment of this advisory panel in terms of Section 3a of NEMA, follows a High Level Panel which made recommendations to  the Minister on matters relating to the management, breeding, hunting, trade and handling of elephant, lion, leopard and rhinoceros.  

In her budget speech in may this year the Minister proposed the Department develop processes that would  allow for voluntary exit options and pathways from the captive lion industry.

The Minister has invited members of the public to submit nominations for members of the Ministerial Task Team to the Department.  

Members nominated to must have the necessary qualifications, expertise and experience in a number of areas associated with the captive lion industry, animal welfare, conservation and sustainable use of South Africa’s biodiversity in general, veterinary care and carnivore interventions, disease risk from husbandry and disposal of carnivores, traditional practices associated with lions, persons with relevant academic experiences and resource mobilisation.  Nominations are also invited of labour law and trade union officials with particular experience in the close of business and retrenchments.

Nominations to the Ministerial Task Team must be submitted within 14 days of publication of Government Gazette 46706 (Notice No. 2379) on 12 August 2022, to the following addresses:

By post to:      
The Director-General: Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment
Attentions: Dr Tsepang Makholela
Private Bag X447
PRETORIA 
0001

By hand at: Reception, Environment House, 473 Steve Biko Road, Arcadia, Pretoria, 0083

By email:  liontaskteam@dffe.gov.za(link sends e-mail)

Any enquiries in connection with the Gazette notice can be directed to Dr Tsepang Makholela at 012 399 9150 /  071 608 4556.

Members of the Ministerial Task Team will be remunerated in accordance with the provisions of the Public Finance Management Act and its associated National Treasury Regulations and guidelines.

To access the Government Notice, click on: https://www.gov.za/sites/default/files/gcis_document/202208/46706gon2379.pdf