Namibia protests German plans for hunting trophy ban
Environment minister Pohamba Shifeta has expressed shock at Germany's efforts to further restrict or ban imports of hunting trophies.
In a letter to the German government's environment ministry, he described this decision as unlawful.
“We are astonished to learn from various sources that the German federal ministry for environment, conservation, nuclear safety and consumer protection plans to make the import of hunting trophies of animals listed in Appendices I and II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) more difficult and, in some cases, completely prohibited,” said Shifeta.
Shifeta asked for an explanation for the basis of this intention and what kind of imports Germany specifically intends to restrict beyond the CITES regulations.
"We are very concerned about the current developments in Germany regarding the legal import of hunting trophies, as further German and/or European restrictions and import bans will inevitably harm Namibia’s species conservation strategy.”
‘Neo-colonial’ tactic
Shifeta stressed that German guests play a crucial role for Namibia’s communal and private landowners, with 80% of German hunters choosing Namibia as their favourite hunting destination in Africa.
Shifeta said that they consider any import restrictions or bans on trophies listed in CITES Appendices I and II, which go beyond CITES regulations, as unilateral, unlawful, and neo-colonial interference with Namibia’s sovereign right to the sustainable use of its resources.
Shifeta said some species listed in the CITES appendices are abundant and increasing in Namibia.
These include elephants, black and white rhinos, lions, leopards, Hartmann's zebra and giraffe.
“Like in Germany and Europe, wild species need sustainable, regulated management to ensure the conservation of their populations and habitats as well as to prevent damage to our agricultural and forestry resources," the minister stated.
Conservation tool
Shifeta said another aspect is the protection against human-wildlife conflict, which sometimes results in fatal outcomes for humans and their livestock.
The management of Namibia’s wildlife species is based on the best available data and methods and is in close alignment with internationally binding regulations, he said.
“Similar to Germany and Europe, sustainable, regulated hunting by local and foreign hunters is a key component of Namibia’s species conservation strategy.”
The minister explained that revenue from conservation hunting is essential for achieving Namibia's national and international climate protection goals by preserving habitats, ensuring human rights through job and food security and developing a thriving wildlife economy through balanced photo- and hunting tourism.
“We assume that before your ministry will adopt any import restrictions, it would consult the Namibian government, our specialist authorities and private and communal landowners.”
In a letter to the German government's environment ministry, he described this decision as unlawful.
“We are astonished to learn from various sources that the German federal ministry for environment, conservation, nuclear safety and consumer protection plans to make the import of hunting trophies of animals listed in Appendices I and II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) more difficult and, in some cases, completely prohibited,” said Shifeta.
Shifeta asked for an explanation for the basis of this intention and what kind of imports Germany specifically intends to restrict beyond the CITES regulations.
"We are very concerned about the current developments in Germany regarding the legal import of hunting trophies, as further German and/or European restrictions and import bans will inevitably harm Namibia’s species conservation strategy.”
‘Neo-colonial’ tactic
Shifeta stressed that German guests play a crucial role for Namibia’s communal and private landowners, with 80% of German hunters choosing Namibia as their favourite hunting destination in Africa.
Shifeta said that they consider any import restrictions or bans on trophies listed in CITES Appendices I and II, which go beyond CITES regulations, as unilateral, unlawful, and neo-colonial interference with Namibia’s sovereign right to the sustainable use of its resources.
Shifeta said some species listed in the CITES appendices are abundant and increasing in Namibia.
These include elephants, black and white rhinos, lions, leopards, Hartmann's zebra and giraffe.
“Like in Germany and Europe, wild species need sustainable, regulated management to ensure the conservation of their populations and habitats as well as to prevent damage to our agricultural and forestry resources," the minister stated.
Conservation tool
Shifeta said another aspect is the protection against human-wildlife conflict, which sometimes results in fatal outcomes for humans and their livestock.
The management of Namibia’s wildlife species is based on the best available data and methods and is in close alignment with internationally binding regulations, he said.
“Similar to Germany and Europe, sustainable, regulated hunting by local and foreign hunters is a key component of Namibia’s species conservation strategy.”
The minister explained that revenue from conservation hunting is essential for achieving Namibia's national and international climate protection goals by preserving habitats, ensuring human rights through job and food security and developing a thriving wildlife economy through balanced photo- and hunting tourism.
“We assume that before your ministry will adopt any import restrictions, it would consult the Namibian government, our specialist authorities and private and communal landowners.”
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