April 23rd, 2009 - Critique of norms

Critique of the NORMS AND STANDARDS FOR (CANNED!) HUNTING IN SOUTH AFRICA

Short title and commencement
34. (1) These norms and standards are called the National Norms and Standards for the Hunting Industry, 2009, and take effect on a date determined by the Minister in
the Government Gazette.

The South African government has now released draft ‘Norms and Standards for Hunting.’ Some interested parties have belatedly been given just two days to comment upon it.
The new Norms appear to have been drafted by the hunting industry, with minimal input from any real conservationist. They contain bizarre perversions of conservation priorities. For example the new Norms allow you to shoot buffalo with a bow and arrow - yet you are prohibited from leaving spent cartridges lying around the veld. Think about this paradox for one minute. It is like saying “you can shoot any number of whales with a harpoon but you may not drop a spanner in the ocean”.

First, look at the definitions and terminology to see the contempt for animal sentience. Note how even primates, which share almost all human genes, are dismissively referred to as ‘furred game’ as distinct from ‘feathered game.’ And victims are described demeaningly as ‘harvest.’ What a narrow, blighted view of the wonders of the natural world. How can such environmental terrorists possibly be regarded as conservationists?
“feathered game” means any bird excluding an ostrich.
“furred game” means any mammal;

Now take a look at some of the stated aims and objectives of the new Norms:-

Guiding Principles
3. (1) These regulations and norms and standards must comply with the following
principles;
(c) Ensure that harvest is ecologically sustainable.
(e) Maintain environments that support healthy and robust populations of harvestable species. (ie game hunting farms)
(l) Encourage acceptance by society of sustainable, consumptive use as an internationally recognized conservation tool.
(n) Promote South Africa as primary choice for foreign and local hunters,
(p) Visual presentation of hunting and hunted animals should portray a positive image of hunting and not be offensive.
As can be seen, hunting industry propaganda will now be a legal requirement when discussing hunting issues. By stating the truths in this critique, the writer would be in violation of the new law. All because the truth will impact negatively upon hunting. In other words the new Norms explicitly subordinate the truth to industry public relations.

Most of the new norms are taken up with industry- relevant but conservationally- insignificant drivel about such minutiae as bow strengths and rifle calibers. These are just rules of this ghastly sport and do not advance real conservation.
For example you may legally shoot an animal up to and including the size of a springbok with a .22 centre fire cartridge. Also, look at this; you are allowed to hunt elephant and hippo with a handgun;-
(4) Notwithstanding the above a handgun with a minimum caliber of .375 of an inch
is required to hunt any buffalo, giraffe, rhinoceros, hippopotamus or elephant.

Now, let’s talk about canned hunting. Not surprisingly, the new document pretends that canned hunting does not exist. Not a word about it. But on any practical definition of canned hunting, all sport hunting in S.A. is canned to a greater or lesser extent. Hunting is canned wherever the target animal is unfairly prevented from escaping the hunter. And almost all sport and trophy hunting here takes place in fenced camps, where the domestically bred or purchased ‘wild’ animals seldom escape. Through these Norms, the SA government will continue to promote and endorse canned hunting.
The extent of effective control of conservation by hunters can be seen in other legislation too. Take the new Firearms Control Act. If you wish to obtain a firearms licence to protect yourself and your family against South Africa’s violent criminals you will be subjected to an arduous bureaucratic obstacle course, and with strict limitations, for example, on how many bullets you may possess. But if you declare that you want the firearms license in order to injure and kill birds and animals for fun, well, that’s different. All obstacles and restrictions then fall away and you may keep as many guns and as many tonnes of ammunition as you could possibly want.

The new Norms are an environmental disaster, turning SA wildlife into a special class of domesticated livestock which can be treated with cruelty for fun, unlike other livestock which is protected by law.

Chris