Source: Ministry for Environmental Affairs and Tourism
Title: M van Schalkwyk: Biodiversity Act officially signed into law
STATEMENT BY THE OFFICE OF MARTHINUS VAN SCHALKWYK, MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS AND TOURISM, NEW BIODIVERSITY ACT SIGNED INTO LAW: SA SET TO TAKE GLOBAL LEAD, 2 June 2004
South Africa's new Biodiversity Act was officially signed into law on Monday evening by President Thabo Mbeki. In his reaction, Marthinus van Schalkwyk, Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, said: "South Africa is now set not only to meet our international biodiversity and conservation obligations, but to take a leading role on the global stage in these areas."
"The fact that the Biodiversity Act has come into force during National Environment Week underscores our commitment to the effective and sustainable management of natural resources, the strict protection of species and ecosystems, and to ensuring that the benefits that flow from these resources are spread widely and fairly amongst our different communities."
The Minister also addressed the creation, in terms of the Act, of the new South African Biodiversity Institute: "Yesterday we announced the transformation of our National Botanical Institute into the new National Biodiversity Institute - with a much-expanded mandate to co-ordinate our bio-regional efforts." The Act establishes the National Biodiversity Institute as a new body to promote scientific research and the biodiversity economy.
The Biodiversity Act also gives legal powers to plan and protect different bioregions such as the Cape Floristic Kingdom.
It sets up a system to protect and control the use of South Africa's rare and endangered species, and requires private landowners and government to take steps to control the spread of alien invasive vegetation.
The Biodiversity Act adds important controls to the system of regulating Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO), and gives the Minister the power to require a full EIA for any GMO.
It also gives communities strong legal powers to benefit from their indigenous knowledge of biodiversity.
Speaking about the significance of the Act, the Minister added: "This is big news for conservation in South Africa. It sets the stage for another decade of environmental leadership and adds real teeth to our natural resource management strategies."
Enquiries: Riaan Aucamp
Cell: 083 778 9923
Issued by: Ministry of Environmental Affairs and Tourism
2 June 2004
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