The proposed Game Meat Strategy for South Africa has been published in Government Gazette 47024 for public comment by Minister of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment Barbara Creecy (Notice No.2293).
The gathering of game meat and similar value-added products could open up commercial prospects in South Africa, which is known worldwide for its profusion of wildlife.
Creecy stated on Monday that the goal of the strategy and execution plan was to “create a formalised, thriving, and transformed game meat sector in South Africa that contributes to food security and sustainable socio-economic progress.”
The goal is to open local, regional, and global market opportunities and to draw investment to the game meat industry.
To ensure continued growth in this sector, the industry must be transformed.
“The game meat industry, which is currently primarily a by-product of hunting, is primarily an unregulated, dispersed sector of the economy.
The industry has not undergone significant transformation, and the participation of formerly disadvantaged people is incredibly low.
Additionally, there are sizable tracts of land held by the community that are suited for plains game and offer opportunities for community-based businesses to promote rural socioeconomic development.
High access barriers are another issue that needs to be resolved, according to the Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment.
In order to attain the economies of scale required for business initiatives focused primarily on the cultivation, harvesting, processing, distribution, and marketing of game meat, the goal of this strategy will be to formalise the game meat sector.
“There is a need to make sure that the potential of game meat is utilised to create income, jobs, and climate-friendly and resilient meat-based food security in rural areas, which is centred on biodiversity-based land use.
The Department stated that “game meat firms, complementing other biodiversity economy activities, need to be financially, socially, and environmentally viable, and the Strategy sets out to achieve this.”
The strategy recognises the enormous contribution being made by the current wildlife industries and the many associations that power essential value-chain components.
“Harnessing their experience and expertise will be essential to moving the new Strategy forward. Partnerships and collaborations will be crucial, significant, and with buy-in from all stakeholders, the Department stated. New private sector investments will also be required.
In order to capitalise on the group effort that went into establishing the draft Game Meat Strategy and to build the momentum for its successful implementation, the Department will continue to engage actively with current and potential industry partners, including through the Wildlife Forum.
The Minister stated that the entire value chain for game meat will need to shift in order to transform because of the need to create new value, opportunities, growth, and efficiencies.
The public is asked to submit written comments on the Draft Game Meat Strategy 2022 to any of the following addresses within 30 days of the Gazette’s publication:
By post to:
Director General: Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment
Attention: Mr Khorommbi Matibe
Private Bag X447
Pretoria, 0001
By hand at: Reception, Environment House, 473 Steve Biko Road, Arcadia, Pretoria, 0083
By email: emasemola@dffe.gov.za or mmathole@dffe.gov.za
Contact Ms. Tselenga Mabunda at 063 750 3691 or tmabunda@dffe.gov.za with any questions on the Draft Game Meat Strategy 2022.
After the deadline, comments might not be taken into consideration.