The department of agriculture, land reform and rural development has proposed adding numerous more species to the Meat Safety Act, including rhinoceros, hippopotamus and giraffe, for human consumption.
The MSA sets national standards at abattoirs. It prohibits animals being killed anywhere other than at accredited abattoirs, unless the killing is done for non-commercial personal use or ritualistic purposes. It also regulates the export and import of their flesh, skin, bone and horn.
The department, it added, does not encourage the slaughter of listed animals, and endangered and protected species which appear on the list are subject to other relevant legislation, including conservation. The amendment it said would ensure animal welfare requirements extended to newly scheduled animals.
In a public comment submission to the department, Zokufa wrote: “In the light of the circumstances we find ourselves in with regards to Covid-19, we therefore, respectfully request that the department: acknowledge the risks and take action to protect human and animal health; reconsider the listing of the species of wildlife until further engagement with all relevant stakeholders; ban live wildlife trade and restrict local trade under stringent measures.
An academic, who has studied game and wildlife meat safety, has pointed out that land for typically farmed species like sheep and cattle was at peak productivity. Alternative indigenous wildlife species adapted to surviving increasingly harsh conditions, could be seen as a future meat source.
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