The decision was made at the 12th Conference of Parties (COP 12) currently under way in Santiago, Chile.
"This constitutes an enormous victory for South Africa's sustainable use policies in the international arena. South Africa constantly argued that a sensible and scientific approach needed to be taken in the management of wildlife," said Minister Moosa.
"The enhanced status of South Africa in the global environmental dialogue has made it possible for our policies to win the day after having failed at the Cites Conferences of 1998 and 2000. This was not withstanding opposition from the Northern countries".
"Clearly South Africa emerges as a major player in the determination of the global conservation agenda," he added.
By approving South Africa's proposal to sell its ivory stockpile, the parties have made a clear statement that they recognise the support of the African Range States of the elephant proposal and South Africa's good management of its elephants, Moosa said, adding that South African National Parks (SANParks) observed the highest international conservation standards.
The Minister pointed out that the once-off sale of the existing stock of ivory, which came from natural mortalities and management actions, would be conducted under the strict supervision of the CITES Secretariat.
South Africa is expecting the sale to amount to R20 million, making available to SANParks funds that are critically needed for elephant and wildlife management and for the expansion of the national parks system. This would include building predator sensing, maintaining anti-poaching operations, and translocating wildlife as part of the transfronteir conservation programme.
The Minister added that Southern Africa was committed to assist its brothers and sisters in the rest of the African continent to have good conservation methods: "As Africa we can only grow if we share good practices amongst ourselves".
Other proposals submitted to COP 12 by South Africa include the transfer of the South African population of Cape Parrot from Appendix II (species not necessarily in danger of extinction but which could become so if trade in them were not strictly regulated) to Appendix I (species threatened with extinction that are or could be affected by trade), as well as the transfer of Aloe thorncroftii from Appendix I to Appendix II.
The decision on the two proposals is expected to be made soon. The conference ends on Friday, 15 November.
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