Creecy task team will help breeders of captive lions exit the industry | Fin24

The appointment of a Ministerial Task Team is part of recommendations of the work of a High Level Panel that reviewed wildlife management policies.

Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment Barbara Creecy has put out a call for nominees to join a task team that will develop voluntary exit strategies for breeders in the captive lion industry.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the department indicated that Creecy on Friday, 12 August, had gazetted an invitation for nominations for the Ministerial Task Team.

The task team is part of the recommendations of a high-level panel which reviewed existing policies, legislation and practices concerning the management, breeding, hunting and trade of wildlife such as elephants, rhinos, lions and leopards.

The minister has been implementing other recommendations from the high-level panel – among these include issuing a White Paper on conserving biodiversity.

Members nominated to the task team must have the necessary qualifications, expertise and experience related to the captive lion industry, animal welfare, conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity, among other things, the department said. Nominations for those with labour law expertise and trade union officials with experience with business closure and retrenchments are also invited.

Nominations must be submitted to the department by 26 August – or 14 days from the gazette’s publication.

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