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Guyana gears for tougher laws on wildlife trade, protection
Wildlife exporters, regulators and other stakeholders at the meeting yesterday.
A critical Bill that will revise old laws that govern how Guyana protects its wildlife is expected to be laid in the National Assembly as early as next month, government says.
Yesterday, a key national stakeholders’ consultation was held at the Grand Coastal Inn with the Department of Natural Resources and the Environment (NRE), under its Wildlife Management Authority (WMA), hosting the event to discuss the final draft of the Wildlife Import and Export Bill.
In addition to Minister Raphael Trotman, also present were Permanent Secretary of the NRE, Joslyn McKenzie; Advisor on Sustainable Development at NRE, Clayton Hall; Head of the Wildlife Division, Alona Sankar; Wildlife Protection activist, Annette Arjoon-Martins and Consultant for the Department, Teni Housty.
Representatives from various organisations including the United States of America Embassy, Conservation International Guyana (CIG), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC), Iwokrama International Centre, World Wildlife Fund (WWF), the Private Sector Commission (PSC), Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA), among others, were also present, a Government statement said.
Minister Trotman told the participants of the session that it is important that the draft be completed and become a reality for Guyana.
“We believe that this is one of the very worthwhile endeavours of the last administration.
It must be seen to completion and so we have gathered to ensure that we see that process through to reality. I’ve gone through the Bill and so far, I am quite impressed with the work done.”
He said that he is hopeful that when the Bill is tabled in the National Assembly, it will receive the support of the Opposition- the People’s Progressive Party- as well as all National stakeholders.
“Once it is tabled in the National Assembly, we will take it to the Special Select Committee. We want it to receive the support of the Opposition and the stakeholders so that by the end of this year, Guyana can say it has an Act and not a Bill,” the Minister told the participants.
Head of the Wildlife Division, Alona Sankar, said that the consultation was another step in the legislative process as it provides a new approach to protect and conserve wildlife in Guyana.
“In July, 2014, a consultative meeting was held on the Wildlife Import and Export Bill. Concerns were expressed about the apparent disjointed approach to wildlife management and conservation in Guyana.
This consultative meeting seeks to present the new approach to wildlife management and conservation in Guyana and to obtain feedback from the stakeholders on the way forward.
In today’s session, there will be heavy focus on the areas of the Bill which have been amended to reflect the new framework,” she said.
Adviser on Sustainable Development at NRE, Clayton Hall, said that this approach was born out of the new administration’s thrust to ensure Guyana’s national patrimony and natural resources are sustainably protected.
“…Under this government, wildlife is recognised as part and parcel of our natural resources and patrimony.
There is a new approach to how we deal with how these are used by the people and for the people. We want to ensure that whatever happens, it happens in a way that provides benefits for all Guyanese and also that we leave that which we have inherited for future generations to enjoy,” Hall told the participants.
He noted that the Bill will also ensure that participants and stakeholders in the management of the conservation of Guyana’s wildlife are of the highest rectitude and integrity, while ensuring that the future safeguards are in place for those involved in conservation and trade to operate under strict rules and guidelines.
There have been complaints by especially animal lovers and others over what seemed to abuse not only in the wildlife trade but that of the protection of animals.
There have been shocking cases of animals dying in poorly ventilated cages and containers while being exported. Of course, those are instances of protected species being killed.
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