Download South African Agencies: SAFRINET, Ukuvuka, Working for Water, & Invasive Species Regs and more Slides Biology in PDF only on Docsity! • Agricultural Research Council – Plant Protection Research Institute; Range and Forage Institute; Institute for Soil, Climate and Water • Council for Scientific and Industrial Research • Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEAT), Divisions of Biodiversity, and Marine and Aquatic Pollution Control • Department of Water Affairs and Forestry • National Botanical Institute of South Africa (SANBI) South African Agencies & Organisations Docsity.com • SAFRINET works to strengthen taxonomic capacity important to identifying invasive species and their natural enemies, and to documenting the impact of invasives on biodiversity. • SAFRINET also works to strengthen institutions and communication between them, and to carry out regional training. • Plant Protection Research Institute undertakes research on beneficial insects, such as pollinators, and micro-organisms like mycorrhizae, that are threatened by invasive species. It is involved in capacity building for quarantine and for information technology networks. SAFRINET AND THE PLANT PROTECTION RESEARCH INSTITUTE Docsity.com • Conservation of Agricultural Resources Act 43 of 1983(CARA) - it is unlawful to allow various species of weeds and invader plants to grow National Veld and Forest Fire Act 101 of 1989 - a legal obligation to control invading alien plants POLICIES & LEGISLATION - ACTS Docsity.com • Section 31A of the Environment Conservation Act 73 of 1989 states that: • “If, in the opinion of the Minister or …[other] authority concerned, any person performs any activity or fails to perform any activity as a result of which the environment is or may be seriously damaged, endangered or detrimentally affected, the Minister or … [other] authority, as the case may be, may in writing direct such person – to cease such activity; or to take such steps as the Minister or … [other] institution… may deem fit, within a period specified in the direction, with a view to eliminating, reducing or preventing the damage, danger or detrimental effect.” ENVIRONMENT CONSERVATION ACT Docsity.com • The Minister or other authority may further require the responsible person to rehabilitate any damage. • Should the responsible person fail to do so the Minister or other authority may rehabilitate the damage and recover from the responsible person any costs incurred. • Failure to comply with this is a criminal offence. ENVIRONMENT CONSERVATION ACT cont. Docsity.com Category 1 plants – e.g. Long Leaf Wattle and Pampas Grass • They are declared weeds • They may not occur on any land or on any inland water surface throughout SA • No person may: sell, agree to sell or offer advertise, keep exhibit, transmit, send, convey or deliver for sale, or exchange for anything or dispose of to any person in any manner for a consideration, any weed, or in any manner permit whatsoever disperse or cause or permit the dispersal of any weed from any place in the Republic to any place in the Republic CATEGORIES OF INVASION Docsity.com Category 2 plants – some Pinus spp., Eucalyptus spp., Acacia cyclops (Rooikrans) and Port Jackson • They are generally plants grown for commercial purposes but may also be used as a woodlot, shelter belt, building material, animal fodder, soil stabilisation or other beneficial function that may be determined • They are invader plants that may only be allowed to grow in demarcated areas. CATEGORIES OF INVASION Docsity.com Category 3 plants – e.g. Jacaranda • Category 3 plants are invader plants that may continue to grow where they already exist, and do not have to be removed. • However, no new planting or trade or propagating of these plants is permitted CATEGORIES OF INVASION Docsity.com • The Department is considering introducing a prohibition on the transfer or sub-division of land unless it has first been certified as being free of weeds and invader plants. If accepted, this will not be included in the regulations but in the Act itself when it is amended later • Committing a criminal offence in terms of these regulations may result in a summons being issued. Conviction for a first offence carries a possible penalty of a R5 000 fine, imprisonment or both. WHAT HAPPENS TO LAND USERS WHO FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REGULATIONS? Docsity.com • Many problems in South Africa and around the world arise because of a lack of awareness • Of the species (which species are IAS?) • Impacts (what damage are these species causing?) • Legislation (what am I obligated to do about it according to the law?) • Eradication (how do I get rid of them?) • Alternative options (what indigenous species can I use?) PUBLIC AWARENESS Docsity.com
