New law to protect plant species on way

GOVERNMENT is drafting new legislation to improve the protection of plant life in Namibia and to regulate the import and export of plant species.

Experts from various ministries and the private sector met last week to discuss the draft Bill. Just two months ago, two men were arrested after 396 kilograms of the hoodia plant was found on their bakkie in the Maltahoehe district – allegedly harvested illegally, underlining that a new law for the protection of plants is necessary.The existing law, which is 30 years old, is outdated and stipulates inadequate fines.The hoodia plant, which grows naturally in southern Namibia and the Kalahari, is highly sought after internationally for its appetite-suppressant qualities.It is used by the pharmaceutical industry in the manufacture of slimming tablets.The UN Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO), together with the Namibian Government, has analysed technical and legal matters with regard to plant health.This resulted in the drafting of the Plant Protection Bill, which was discussed at a workshop last week.According to plant-health consultant George Rhodes, the plant-health inspection service in the Ministry of Agriculture should be converted into a National Plant Protection Organisation (NPPO).”This will bring it in line with the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC),” Rhodes said.He said the current plant-health inspection service had a limited mandate, for example to deal with locust outbreaks and the threats posed by other plant pests.It has no responsibility for the protection of endangered areas, or for research and investigations in the field of plant protection, according to Rhodes.The Police are currently entrusted with the protection of natural resources, which include rare plants.Under the new law, the envisaged NPPO will have the authority to issue plant-health certification to ensure that exports of plants and plant products meet the necessary legal requirements.It also provides for stiffer sentences for offenders.Just two months ago, two men were arrested after 396 kilograms of the hoodia plant was found on their bakkie in the Maltahoehe district – allegedly harvested illegally, underlining that a new law for the protection of plants is necessary.The existing law, which is 30 years old, is outdated and stipulates inadequate fines.The hoodia plant, which grows naturally in southern Namibia and the Kalahari, is highly sought after internationally for its appetite-suppressant qualities.It is used by the pharmaceutical industry in the manufacture of slimming tablets.The UN Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO), together with the Namibian Government, has analysed technical and legal matters with regard to plant health.This resulted in the drafting of the Plant Protection Bill, which was discussed at a workshop last week.According to plant-health consultant George Rhodes, the plant-health inspection service in the Ministry of Agriculture should be converted into a National Plant Protection Organisation (NPPO).”This will bring it in line with the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC),” Rhodes said.He said the current plant-health inspection service had a limited mandate, for example to deal with locust outbreaks and the threats posed by other plant pests.It has no responsibility for the protection of endangered areas, or for research and investigations in the field of plant protection, according to Rhodes.The Police are currently entrusted with the protection of natural resources, which include rare plants.Under the new law, the envisaged NPPO will have the authority to issue plant-health certification to ensure that exports of plants and plant products meet the necessary legal requirements.It also provides for stiffer sentences for offenders.