Issued by: The Ministry of Environmental Affairs and Tourism
QUESTIONS ANSWERED BY MINISTER Z PALLO JORDAN IN THE NATIONAL CONCIL OF PROVINCES QUSTION NO 11: 28 OCTOBER 1997
MR E K MOORCROFT ASKED THE MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS AND TOURISM:
Whether, in the light of the finding contained in the first report of the Commission of Enquiry into Thor Chemicals that the incineration of toxic waste at Thor poses a potential risk to public health and the environment, the Government is considering (a) imposing more stringent restrictions on the import of hazardous waste and/or (b) exercising greater supervision over such imports; if not, why not: if so, (I) when and (ii) what are the further relevant details?
THE MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS AND TOURISM REPLIES:
The republic of South Africa has signed and ratified the Basel Convention which places strick restrictions on the transboundary movement of hazardous waste with which the Republic of South Africa is obliged to comply. It was and is still the standpoint of the government that no hazardous wastes will be imported to South Africa.
QUESTION NO 12: 28 OCTOBER 1997
MR E K MOORCROFT ASKED THE MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS AND TOURISM:
(1) On what date does the moratorium on development in the habitat of the Brenton Blue butterfly expire;
(2) whether he or his Department has taken any steps to ensure that this land is proclaimed a reserve; if so (a) what steps and (b) what measure of success;
(3) whether any other steps have ben taken towards ensuring the survival of the butterfly; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details.
THE MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS AND TOURISM REPLIES:
(1) The notice that was served on the developer expires on 31 October 1997 but it will probably be necessary to extend the moratorium to a later date to allow for the procurement of the land by the state.
(2) No, but the declaration as a nature reserve will be done as soon as ownership of the land has been transferred to the state.
(3) No other stps ae contemplated as the acquisition of the land for the purpose of a nature reserve and compensation to the owner are at present being attended to.
QUESTION NO 16: 28 OCTOBER 1997
BISHOP D J KANYILES ASKE THE MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS AND TOURISM:
(1) Whether, with reference to the reply to Question No 4 in the Senate on 29 August 1996, he or his Department has taken or intends taking any steps in view of the limited national monitoring of pollution levels in sea water as a result of a division of responsibility and limited manpower and resources; if not, why not, if so, what steps;
(2) whether he will make a statement on the matter?
THE MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS AND TOURISM REPLIES:
(1) The recently accepted policy on the environment paves the way for the Department to become the lead agent on all environmental matters, including marine pollution. In this context, it is the intention of the Marine Pollution Unit to take the initiative in establishing a centralised database which would include the results of monitoring studies undertaken by all the roleplayers. This will then allow them to produce regular reports on the water quality status of coastal waters.
In addition, the Unit has already taken steps to extend its Mussel Watch Programme beyond the Cape Peninsula, the first sampling of the extended programme having been completed earlierthismonth.
(2) No.