1. Alien and Invasive Species Regulations
National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act (2004)
Presentation to
SANA Biodiveristy Meeting
19 March, 2015
Livhuwani Nnzeru – Biosecurity – Dept of Environmental Affairs
Permits
2. Why do we issue permits?
Regulate imports
To regulate the import of
alien and listed invasive
species into the country.
Regulate invasives
occurring in South
Africa
To regulate Category 2
invasive species within the
country.
Night- blooming cereus
(Hylocereus undatus)1
Physic nut (Jatropha
curcas)
2
3. When are permits issued?
The Issuing
Authority issues
permits for:
1. The carrying out of
a restricted activity
involving a specimen of
an alien or a listed
invasive species
Growing 3
Propagation4
4. What species need permits?
Plants
Mammals
Birds
Reptiles
Amphibians
Fresh-water Fishes
Fresh-water Invertebrates
Marine Invertebrates
118 Category 2
invasive species
need permits
5. Invasive Species Categories
Category 1a Listed Invasive Species
Take immediate steps to combat, or eradicate
where possible.
Category 1b Listed Invasive Species
Control the listed invasive species.
Category 2 Listed Invasive Species
Utilization allowed under Permit conditions.
Control outside of the Permit conditions.
Category 3 Listed Invasive Species
Subject to certain prohibitions (e.g. sell,
distribution).
Category 3 plant specimens in riparian areas are
treated as Category 1b.
7. Gums that need NO intervention
Exemptions
50m from a homestead
400mm diameter - Urban
areas
Standing in cultivated land…
Gums in a formal plantation
Gums in Nama Karoo,
Succulent Karoo or Desert
Biomes
All exemptions fall away if the gum tree is in
(1)a riparian area or (2) a protected area
9. NEMBA AIS permitting process
Consult the relevant
provinces
If the application is
approved, a permit
will be issued
Permit Officer to inform
the applicant of the
outcome
Submit application Pay a fee
Risk assessment may
be needed
Consider risk
assessment report
Applicant must comply
with relevant conditions
10. Issuing of permits for Alien Species
coming into the country
Risk Assessment Review Panel
Provinces Specialists
National
Government
Recommendations
are made…
Decision on
issuing permit
13. Current permit application fees
The current fees for permits and appeals:
* Import into the Republic - R200 per species
* All restricted activities - R100 per species
* Renewal of permit - R50 per species
* Appeals - R50 per species Patula pine (Pinus
patula)4