Canned Hunting - a Welfare Perspective

(2007-02-22)

The NSPCA applauds the announcement yesterday by Minister Marthinus van Schalkwyk concerning canned hunting. We believe that this is a move in the right direction to stamp out the canned hunting industry and improve and implement ethical standards of hunting on a national level.

With the new legislation coming into effect on the 1 June 2007 the NSPCA is however very concerned regarding the future prospects of current captive large predators. It is the NSPCA’s intention to work with the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism and other role players to find a solution that will not compromise the welfare of these animals.

The NSPCA believes that he effectiveness of this legislation will hinge on the enforcement of the law, which would include resources and uniformity across the provinces.

Further, the NSPCA recognises that this legislation can be improved upon in the future, as has been indicated by the Minister. The NSPCA would like to see other animals such as antelope and exotic animals (eg tigers) included in the listings of animals that cannot be can hunted. These concerns were elaborated on in the NSPCA’s submission to the Minister prior to publication of the legislation.

In April 2005 the Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism appointed a Panel of Experts (which included NSPCA Executive Director, Mrs Marcelle Meredith) to advise him on the appropriate regulatory framework on professional and recreational hunting. The panel was tasked with proposing various policy and legal options needed to control the South African hunting industry.