A December 10 press conference in Hanoi has discussed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by the Vietnamese and South African governments on preserving and protecting biodiversity.

The MoU emerged from the cooperative ties between the two nations and their  mutual Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) membership.

 The Vietnam Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) and the South African Ministry of Water and Environmental Affairs (MWEA) will implement the MoU with assistance from both countries’ domestic law enforcement agencies and international organisations will assist.

After the signing ceremony, Vietnamese and South African working groups devised a detailed action plan focusing on combating illicit rhino product trafficking and shared their valuable experiences in natural reserve management.

MWEA Minister Edna Molewa said South Africa wants Vietnam to closely cooperate with rhino horn anti-smuggling efforts, stating her country has exerted itself to protect and preserve biodiversity.

MARD Minister Cao Duc Phat said Vietnam has strictly complied with all international conventions on protecting and preserving biodiversity.

The MARD has asked relevant agencies to intensify their control and surveillance operations fighting the illegal transportation of rhino products and other commodites proscribed by the CITES index. Road, air,  and water routes will all be scrutinised, especially those originating from Africa.

It is working with other ministries and departments on a proposal to ban all rhino product imports into Vietnam by the end of 2012. The proposal will be submitted to the Prime Minister.

 Vietnamese agencies have so far handled 12 cases of smuggled African rhino horns since 2004.

 Statistics reveal 448 white rhinos were illegally poached in South Africa. In response to a worrying trend, its government has prohibited Vietnamese people from hunting there since February 2012.

Unfortunately, the number of poached white rhinos has continued to rise to 558 in November and is predicted to reach 600 by the year’s end.

VOV