MESSAGE FROM MARTHINUS VAN SCHALKWYK, MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS AND TOURISM, FOR THE PHASA BANQUET

Game farming and hunting contributes significantly to conservation, tourism development, job creation and sustainable development in rural areas.  It is integrated with various sectors of the economy.  It is an important foreign currency earner and its contribution to the gross national product is substantial. I am very optimistic about the future of this industry and the great potential to further nurture and promote its economic and conservation worth. 

 Whilst applauding the substantial and positive contribution to conservation management and economic growth, Government also has a responsibility to preserve the resource base on which the hunting and game farming industry depends.  Together, we must continuously balance short term economic objectives with long term sustainable development and conservation objectives, including the ecological and ethical imperatives that underpin the long term sustainability of the industry. 

The recently published regulations for threatened and protected species lays the basis for a well regulated and ethical hunting and game farming industry in South Africa.  These regulations also recognise that the hunting industry in this country has already gone to great lengths to ensure responsible hunting practices and to take co-responsibility for its future.  PHASA (and other associations such as CHASA and SAHGCA) has embarked on setting new standards for ethical hunting - which is getting world wide recognition. We will continue to work with this industry to expose the few who, in pursuit of selfish gain, undermine the image and credibility of South Africa as a country that manages its wildlife and associated industries in a sustainable, ethical and responsible manner.

We would also want to work much closer with the industry to unlock the many opportunities for transformation, which includes amongst others ownership, employment, skills development and other dimensions of broadening involvement in hunting and game farming and its ancillary industries.

Thank you