Ministerial Task Team to identify and recommend voluntary exit options and pathways from the captive lion industry

15 August 2022

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

Any enquiries in connection with the Gazetted Notice can be directed to:

Dr Tsepang Makholela  
Tel: 012 399 9150  
Mobile: 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.

Access the Government Notice here: » National Environmental Management Act, 1998 (Act No. 107 of 1998): appointment of Ministerial Task Team to identify and recommend voluntary exit options and pathways from the captive lion industry [G 46706 – GoN 2379]

For media queries contact:

Albi Modise 
Mobile: 083 490 2871