On 26 January 2012, the Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism, Honourable Mr
Ezekiel Maige together with the Swedish Minister for Trade, Dr Ewa Björling,
will host an international roundtable discussion in Dar es Salaam on how to prevent illegal trade
with endangered species.
The purpose
is to enhance partnerships for the enforcement of national legislation and
international treaties, and promote global, regional and local actions aimed at
preventing illegal trade in endangered species.
The problem
of illegal poaching and illegal trade is a severe threat to biological
diversity and to the development of many countries, often countries which are
also heavily dependent on the tourism and wildlife sector. In East
Africa, illegal trade in ivory and rhino horn is a major concern.
The gorilla is another example, which is among the world’s most endangered
species and is struggling to cope with habitat loss and degradation.
The challenges to address are many.
Poverty, human-animal conflict and socio-economic development are often drivers
of the illegal harvesting of wild animals and plants and their associated trade
as well as habitat destruction. Demand from Asia, Europe and North America,
rising levels of affluence, social or cultural traditions, an apparently
increasing trend in the possession of exotic pets and the consumption of exotic
foods (like bushmeat) and the belief in some species’ health-related effects
are other potential drivers.
The recent upsurge in rhino poaching,
for example, has been linked to what seems to be an increased demand for rhino
horn in Asia, particularly Vietnam,
where it may carry prestige as a luxury item, a post-party pick-me-up or perhaps
as a purported cancer cure. In some countries in Europe, bushmeat from other
regions (as an addition to wild meat from and traditionally eaten in Europe) has become a trendy dish in several restaurants.
Although corruption is a continuing
problem throughout the world, and is particularly intense in certain places or
within certain activities such as permit issuance, it is now receiving
increased attention at the political and operational levels.
Participants
at the roundtable event will include global actors such as representatives from
the Convention on Illegal Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora
(CITES) and the World Customs Organization (WCO).
The outcome
of the roundtable will be disseminated
in a report. Conclusions and findings from the roundtable discussion will
facilitate further work on capacity building to strengthen customers capabilities
particularly in the East-African region to implement CITES rules and
regulations.
Members of the press are invited to a press
conference at the New Africa Hotel, Cystal Room, 26th of January 2012 at 11:30. The Swedish
Minister for Trade Dr Ewa Björling and the honourable minister for Natural
Resources and Tourism Mr Ezekiel Maige will answer questions from the press on
the above issues.
For
questions concerning the press conference please contact;
Mr. George Matiku , Ministry for Natural Resources
and Tourism.
Phone number 0784 468047, or
Ms Margareta
Brisman, Embassy of Sweden.
Phone number
0754-000 248
ambassaden.dar-es-salaam@foreign.ministry.se.V