Issued by: Ministry of Environmental Affairs and Tourism
11 September 1996
The Antarctic Treaties Bill of 1996, presented to the Senate by Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, Dr Z Pallo Jordan, on 5 September 1996 was unanimously accepted.
The Minister and his department were congratulated by all the parties present on the high standard of Antarctic research undertaken in this region, and more specifically on the implementation of a comprehensive environmental impact assessment processl.
Once the Bill becomes law it will ensure the environmental impact assessments of all activities in the region, the banning of all commecial mining and oil exploitation, and a mechanism to set aside large protected areas in the region.
South Africa was one of twelve original contracting parties to the Antartic Treaty which was signed on 1 December 1959. The purpose of the Antartic Treaty is to ensure the continued use of Antarctica for peaceful purposes, for scientific research and for the free exchange of information.
Subsequently, South Africa became a party to various other conventions, treaties and agreements pertaining to Antarctica.
The Protocol to the Antarctic Treaty on Environmental Protection was signed in October 1991 by 26 nations active in Antarctica. This will become law after the Protocol is ratified domestically by all, 26 nations.
Legislation, necessary to apply and enforce the treaties, became arequirement when South Africa ratified the Protocol of the Antarctic Environment on 6 August 1995. Of the twenty-two nations which have rativied, only seven have enacted enabling legislation.
South Africa has a proud history in the Antarctic and maintains a presence on the continent. The Bill will provide a critical momentum to encourage the ratification processes in other countries, allowing South African to lead by example by providing a model for those nations which have not yet enacted implementing legilation.
Once the Bill has been passed by the National Assembly, another cornerstone in the history of the South African involvement with the Antarctic and sub-Antarctic regions will have been reached.
ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS & TOURISM
For further information please contact Ina Naude Ph: (012) 310 3828, Fax: (012) 3222 476