This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-34914154
The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
Next version
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
South Africa lifts ban on domestic rhino horn trade | South Africa lifts ban on domestic rhino horn trade |
(about 7 hours later) | |
A South Africa court has lifted a ban on the domestic trade in rhino horns in a case brought by two game farm breeders. | A South Africa court has lifted a ban on the domestic trade in rhino horns in a case brought by two game farm breeders. |
It overturns a moratorium on the trade imposed by the government in 2009 to address rhino poaching. | It overturns a moratorium on the trade imposed by the government in 2009 to address rhino poaching. |
One of the breeders, John Hume, blamed a sharp increase in rhino poaching on the ban. | One of the breeders, John Hume, blamed a sharp increase in rhino poaching on the ban. |
Last year, a record 1,215 rhinos were killed in South Africa, where 80% of the world's rhino population lives. | Last year, a record 1,215 rhinos were killed in South Africa, where 80% of the world's rhino population lives. |
The court heard that rhino horns sells for $65,000 (£43,000) per kg on the Asian black market where it is believed to have medicinal properties. | The court heard that rhino horns sells for $65,000 (£43,000) per kg on the Asian black market where it is believed to have medicinal properties. |
Mr Hume brought the case along with a colleague Johan Kruger, arguing that it was their constitutional right as breeders to sell rhino horns. | Mr Hume brought the case along with a colleague Johan Kruger, arguing that it was their constitutional right as breeders to sell rhino horns. |
He farms in the area south of the Kruger National Park and is the largest rhino farmer in the world. | He farms in the area south of the Kruger National Park and is the largest rhino farmer in the world. |
He had argued that if the ban was not lifted he would have been forced to dispose of his 1,200-strong herd as it cost him 5m rand ($351,000; £233,000) a month to preserve it. | |
In his ruling Judge Francis Legodi said it could not be denied that the ban was linked to a surge in demand. | In his ruling Judge Francis Legodi said it could not be denied that the ban was linked to a surge in demand. |
The lifting of the ban comes ahead of a meeting in Johannesburg next year of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (Cites), which is expected to discuss lifting the global ban. | The lifting of the ban comes ahead of a meeting in Johannesburg next year of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (Cites), which is expected to discuss lifting the global ban. |
The government says it has not yet decided whether to appeal the decision. | The government says it has not yet decided whether to appeal the decision. |
Previous version
1
Next version