20 Mar 2018

The Minister of Environment, Conservation, Natural Resources and Tourism, Mr Tshekedi Khama has called on the EU to clarify its stand on the import of ivory.

Speaking at the Giant Summit and subsequently addressing the media in Kasane, Minister Tshekedi said the EU played a confusing role in the issue of the import of ivory because on one hand it was the largest ivory trader while it also supported efforts to conserve elephants.

Minister Tshekedi called on the EU to be clear whether it was for or against the killing of elephants because providing the market for ivory fueled poaching in African countries.

“The EU needs to come off the fence because there is no grey area in the issue. It is either you are in or out,” he said.

Minister Tshekedi also challenged the African countries and the SADC region to take their stand following the US opening of ivory market.

He was also hopeful that lobby groups in and out of the US will put meaningful pressure on the government regarding the decision.

He decried that while Botswana has made a decision to ban hunting to preserve the dwindling wildlife populations, her colleagues in the African continent did not adopt the same position.

He said since the hunting ban, the animal population increased.

Minister Tshekedi told the delegates that the country does not only prioritise the protection of the tusks but the elephant as a whole.

He said the country has since received 15 awards for her wildlife conservation efforts.

The Minister appreciated the leadership and guidance of President Lt Gen. Dr Seretse Khama Ian Khama in conservation during his tenure as the commander of the Botswana Defence Force, Vice President and as the President.

Space for Giants chief executive officer, Dr Max Graham said stopping of elephants poaching need commitment and high political will, hence the formation of the Giant Club, which is made of the countries of Botswana, Kenya, Uganda and Gabon.

He noted that since the last giant club summit in 2016 the four countries have demonstrated the right political will towards the conservation of elephants and have each taken a position to no trade in ivory.

Dr Graham noted that while other countries in Africa have shown interest in joining the club of the four states it has been difficult as they have different opinions towards the ivory trade.

UK Minister for Africa, Ms Harriet Baldwin pledged UK’s readiness to work towards the conservation of elephants irrespective of being a member of the EU.

The head of the Chinese delegation, Ambassador Yanbo Zhao assured the summit of China’s commitment to support wildlife conservation adding that China believes in unity of universe.

He said as part of China’s efforts to conserve wildlife, she joined South Africa and other African countries in anti-poaching operations and helped Africa to train wildlife officers to improve capacity in wildlife protection.

“To show our strong determination, last year in December we banned ivory trade and shut down all commercial entities dealing in ivory,” said Mr Zhao.

Mr Zhao said China has also strengthened law enforcement to prevent any ivory trade in the country as a way of safeguarding the global ecosystem.

The head of EU delegation, Ambassador Alexander Baum said elephants and rhinos were at the risk of extinction in Africa.

He said the EU stand is that it buys ivory of pre 1940 without certificate and requires certificates of any ivory of post 1940.

Mr Baum further said there was no evidence that EU fueled poaching by buying ivory and the EU was currently carrying a study to determine whether it played a role in poaching and the report will be released in July this year.

He further said the EU was committed to helping to solve the problem of wildlife trafficking in Africa . Ends