Nacso backs Cites ivory plea

AN association that supports community-based natural resources management has thrown its weight behind Namibia’s plea to Cites to be allowed to trade in ivory once a year.

Patricia Skeyer, the Co-ordinator of the Namibian Association of Community-based Natural Resources Management Support Organisation (Nacso), told The Namibian yesterday that Namibia had stockpiles of ivory from which the country could benefit if it was allowed sales. In its request to the United Nations Convention in International Trade on Endangered Species (Cites), the Ministry of Environment and Tourism argued that Namibia’s elephant population was safe and growing.In 2002, Skeyer won the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Women and Conservation Award for her contribution to national conservation.She said money generated from the sale of ivory in Namibia would be used in elephant conservation and community conservancies and development programmes.Namibia has requested Cites that it be allowed sell an annual 2 000 kg of raw ivory.Earlier this year, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Environment and Tourism, Dr Malan Lindeque, said he believed Namibia had a strong case “based on scientific information”.Namibia’s request will be heard at the 13th Cites conference, to be held in the Thai capital, Bangkok, from October 2 to 14.Botswana, South Africa and Swaziland have also petitioned Cites to allow them to trade in ivory once every year.In its request to the United Nations Convention in International Trade on Endangered Species (Cites), the Ministry of Environment and Tourism argued that Namibia’s elephant population was safe and growing.In 2002, Skeyer won the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Women and Conservation Award for her contribution to national conservation.She said money generated from the sale of ivory in Namibia would be used in elephant conservation and community conservancies and development programmes.Namibia has requested Cites that it be allowed sell an annual 2 000 kg of raw ivory.Earlier this year, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Environment and Tourism, Dr Malan Lindeque, said he believed Namibia had a strong case “based on scientific information”.Namibia’s request will be heard at the 13th Cites conference, to be held in the Thai capital, Bangkok, from October 2 to 14.Botswana, South Africa and Swaziland have also petitioned Cites to allow them to trade in ivory once every year.