GREEN SCORPIONS DEPLOYED AT OR TAMBO
INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT TO COMBAT WILDLIFE CRIME
The Department of Environmental
Affairs has taken another important step in the fight against wildlife crime.
From 1 April 2015, Environmental
Management Inspectors, commonly known as the Green Scorpions, have been
deployed at OR Tambo International Airport (ORTIA) to ensure compliance and to
undertake enforcement action related to the National Environmental Management:
Biodiversity Act (NEMBA) and its Regulations.
The regulations also relate to the Convention
on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES),
the Threatened or Protected Species (TOPS) Regulations and regulations related
to the import of Alien and Invasive Species.
A team of 10 Compliance officials
will ensure that CITES export and re-export permits are endorsed after physical
inspection of consignments and that CITES import permits are cancelled after
use. They will also ensure that TOPS and Bioprospecting, Access and Benefit
Sharing permit conditions are complied with. Trade bans for
commercial purposes relating to CITES listed species have been put in place
since 19 March 2015 for Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Democratic Republic
of Congo, and Nigeria due to non-compliance with CITES plans and the Green Scorpions
need to ensure that these bans are enforced.
A team of 9 Enforcement officials
will make sure that non-compliances with NEMBA Regulations are met with
enforcement action, through criminal investigations followed by prosecution and
/ or the issuing of enforcement notices and fines.
A team of officials will also ensure
that the Alien and Invasive Species Regulations are being complied with.
Officials will ensure that prohibited invasive species do not find their way
into the country without being detected and are destroyed, where necessary.
People who do not comply with the Alien and Invasive Species Regulations will
either be prosecuted or issued with Compliance Notices and Directives.
It is envisaged that Green Scorpions
will also be deployed at some of the other designated Ports of Entry and Exit
across the over a period of time, dependent on resources available.
The Green Scorpions will work closely
with other law enforcement agencies and departments at the airport, including
the SAPS, Customs, the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, the
Department of Health and Department of Home Affairs. Through joint
enforcement operations, the Green Scorpions and the SAPS have already detected
non-compliance with the Alien and Invasive Species Regulations related to
reptiles and notices will be issued in response thereto. Such pro-active
operations will take place on a regular basis.
Shops trading in the International
Departure Hall of OR Tambo have also been checked to ensure that they comply with
NEMBA Regulations in order for people buying CITES-listed products to comply
with permit requirements. A number of shops are currently in non-compliance and
enforcement action will be taken. It is critical to understand that
permits are required for the export and import of CITES-listed species, such as
cosmetic products made from Aloe Ferox and crocodile leather products, such as
watch straps, handbags and belts.
The Green Scorpions will also ensure
that people using other airports in Gauteng comply with the requirements in the
NEMBA Regulations and spot checks will be conducted at these Airports.
Apart from all these activities
involving international passengers, the Green Scorpions will also focus efforts
on other key areas at ORTIA, such as the international mail centre and freight
areas.
Anybody that would like to report
non-compliance with Environmental law can phone the Environmental Crime Hotline
at 080 020 5005
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