Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment minister, Barbara Creecy.
Cape Town - The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) says it is engaging with Chinese authorities regarding the poaching of indigenous succulent plants.
This came to light following a parliamentary question by DA MP Dave Bryant who wanted to know how many people had been arrested for succulent plant poaching in the past five years and who have been successfully convicted in light of “ongoing poaching of indigenous succulent plants in the Republic, in particular the Conophytum and others, which puts the species in critical danger of extinction, and in light of the fact that the majority of the poached plants are allegedly smuggled to China”, he said.
According to the DFFE, it did not keep track of every plant poaching case, but within its national environmental crime database officials provided support to investigators through the Environmental Enforcement Fusion Centre (EEFC).
In the Western Cape between 2019 and July 2022, 107 cases were lodged with 218 suspects arrested.
In the Northern Cape between 2020 and July 2022, 96 cases were lodged with 224 suspects arrested.
DFFE Minister, Babara Creecy said: “The DFFE, together with the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) and the Worldwide Fund for Nature South Africa, has developed a multifaceted National Response Strategy and Action Plan to address the illegal trade in South African succulent flora.
“The response strategy is a collaborative effort by government departments, conservation authorities, non-governmental organisations, and local communities to ensure the survival of our rich succulent flora, while promoting sustainable socio-economic development in the country.
The strategy is currently being implemented.
“There is an oversight committee chaired by SANBI and the DFFE, with a representative from each of the implementing agency, which tracks the implementation of the response strategy.
“Engagements with the Chinese Government regarding illegal wildlife trade (including succulents) take place primarily through Interpol structures and working groups.
“With the upcoming global Interpol Operation Thunder, further interactions will take place with Chinese authorities to highlight aspects around the illegal trade in succulents.”
Meanwhile the DA said during an oversight visit to Knersvlakte Nature Reserve by the Provincial Standing Committee on Agriculture, Environmental Affairs and
Development Planning, CapeNature revealed that the average number of plants being seized by authorities per month over the past four years was around 12 000.
“Succulent and other plant poaching has increased tremendously since 2018, with most of these plants being destined for the Asian market. In the Vredendal area alone there are currently 48 cases related to poaching before the courts,” said DA Western Cape spokesperson on Agriculture, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning, Andricus van der Westhuizen.
The Chinese consulate in Cape Town did not respond to requests for comment by deadline.
Cape Times
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