The Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment published the draft National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Bill here for public comment on 24 May 2024. Substantial amendments to NEMBA were necessary to accommodate the White Paper on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of South Africa’s Biodiversity and several implementation challenges identified in NEMBA. The National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act, (NEM:BA), Act No. 10 of 2004, is the principal legislation affecting conservation and sustainable use in South Africa and will affect the activities of members of the association.
The amendments purport to, among others, improve the protection and management of species and ecosystems; enable economic benefits and transformation in the biodiversity sector; and beneficiation from indigenous biological resources involved in bioprospecting.
Members can submit written comments on the Draft Biodiversity Bill to the conservation manager Lizanne@sahunt.co.za by 5 July 2024 for consideration in the association’s comments, or directly to biodiversitybill@dffe.gov.za within the time frame described in the Bill or direct queries about the bill to Ms Magdel Boshoff at 083-952-2334 or biodiversitybill@dffe.gov.za .
