TO : Sheree Bega

FROM : Saturday Star

E-MAIL : Sheree.Bega@inl.co.za

TEL : 011-633 2714

TIME-FRAME : 27 January 2011 @ 12h00

RE : TRADE OF PARROTS AND OTHER ENDANGERED

SPECIES

Dear Moses

I please need to get a response from the department about the 800
wild African Grey parrots that were allegedly trafficked into South
Africa, from the DRC, and who subsequently died on a 1time flight to
Durban on December 24.

Wildlife experts we spoke to this week said that the alleged role
players in this episode, now the subject of a court battle, Gideon Fourie
ann Ben Moodie, buy the African Grey's very cheaply, obtain the
permits they need in SA, and once the birds are here they are sent to
Far East markets.

The forex they get is then used to acquire other endangered birds,
which are again sold on the open market. Wild caught birds that are
kept here, are used to breed in massive factories, they say, as captive
bred birds don't breed as prolifically.

Bird experts say the collection of these wild-caught birds is causing

local distinctions throughout regions in West Africa, Rwanda,
Uganda, where this species occurs, but that our research into this
species is outdated, and that SA needs to have better controls to
ensure it's not being used to traffic these birds in and out of the
country.

1. I please need to get some comment on this issue, as it

relates to the permits acquired,
and also to claims that because African Greys are so heavily
traded, this CITES permit
system is a mockery.

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There were no irregularities regarding the permits issued. The Gauteng
Conservation department requested the national department to verify
the authenticity of export permits from the DRC for parrot exports.
The national department sent the permits to the Secretariat of the
Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild
Fauna and Flora (CITES) for verification to ensure that the permits
were authentic. The CITES Secretariat confirmed that the permits were
valid and Gauteng Conservation department was informed accordingly
and import permits were subsequently issued by Gauteng as the
Issuing Authority.

2. I understand that Ms Meintjes has stated she is considering

halting all further imports of
wild-caught African Greys into SA because the DRC is
exceeding its export quotas for all
animals, including African Greys.

Ms Meintjes did not make a statement in this regard. The process

reflected in the response to question 1 will be adhered to.

3. In 2009, the DRC exported 12 158 African Greys. But in the

same vein, SA is importing
more African Greys than the import quota for the whole DRC
- over 5000 went through SA
in the same year. Why is this being permitted?

The source for the figures is not stated and the question is not clear
(the DRC has an export quota and not an import quota?). The
Democratic Republic of Congo and Congo have export quotas for
African Grey parrots resulting from recommendations of the Animals
Committee and the Standing Committee of the Convention on
International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora
(CITES). These quotas were established subsequent to the significant
trade review process, which is a comprehensive process that analyse
trade information as well as measures implemented in countries to
regulate trade. The Animals Committee recommended the quotas for
the two countries and it was supported / approved by the Standing
Committee of CITES. South Africa accepts the validity of the quota and
as mentioned already, the South African National CITES Management
Authority sends all export permits received for the export of African
Grey parrots from the DRC to the CITES Secretariat for verification of
authenticity before import permits are issued to ensure that export
permits are valid. If the CITES Secretariat cannot verify the
authenticity, an import permit will not be issued.

4. What is the department's view of this issue and what does

your Department make of
suggestions from organizations like the World Parrot Trust
that SA immediately halts all

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 further imports of African Greys?

The South African National CITES Management Authority (the

Department) will continue to submit all export permits received for the
export of African Grey parrots from the DRC to the CITES Secretariat
for verification of authenticity. South Africa will halt imports of African
Greys if the CITES Secretariat indicates that the quota has been
exceeded; or if the export permits presented are not authentic /
invalid; or if the parrots were illegally obtained.

5. Are there any plans for stricter controls to limit or ban the
import and export of these wild
caught birds in SA?

The CITES Regulations, promulgated in terms of the National

Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act, 2004 (Act No 10 of
2004), provides adequate controls in terms of the regulation of
international trade. These regulations came into effect on 5 March
2010 and the Department has confidence in the current controls.

ALBI MODISE
CHIEF DIRECTOR: COMMUNICATIONS
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS

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