Information on new Cycad Regulations in South Africa

The South African government has recently published (February 2007) new regulations relating to trade and ownership of cycads. The following guidelines are meant to assist the public when trying to comply with the new regulations by providing information on what restrictions now apply, who needs a permit, and where to obtain permits.

The legislation can be accessed at http://www.info.gov.za/gazette/regulation/2007/29657b.pdf

Publication of regulations

The regulations for Threatened or Protected Species form part of the National Environmental Management- Biodiversity Act (NEMBA) of 2004 and were published in February 2007. These regulations include several general restrictions that apply to several different plant and animal species, including cycads, as well as a special section on restricted activities related to cycads in the genus Encephalartos (African cycads).

What do the regulations mean if you own a cycad, or trade in cycads?

•  You need a permit to own any listed species of Encephalartos (list given below) as well as specimens of Stangeria eriopus.

•  You need a permit to trade* in any listed species of Encephalartos or Stangeria eriopus, but additional restrictions apply to trade in certain specimens (see points below).

•  You may not trade* in specimens of any Critically Endangered species of Encephalartos that is included on the list (see list below) , except where provided for in a biodiversity management plan approved by the Minister in terms of section 43 of the Biodiversity Act.

•  In general, you may not trade* in any specimens of Encephalartos included in the list (wild or artificially propagated) that have a stem diameter of more than 15 cm. For the following species, you may not trade in specimens if the stem diameter is more than 7 cm: Encephalartos caffer ; E. humilis, E. cupidus, E. cerinus, E. umbeluziensis, E. ngoyanus.

•  You are not allowed to gather, collect, pluck, uproot, damage, cut, chop off, remove or destroy any wild specimens of listed cycad species.

* Trade includes import into South Africa , export from South Africa , and selling or otherwise trading within South Africa. It includes buying, receiving, giving, donating, accepting as a gift, or in any way acquiring or disposing of a specimen.

LIST OF CYCADS (this may be updated periodically)

APPLYING FOR PERMITS

•  Any person may apply for a permit to possess or trade in cycads

•  Any person operating a nursery for a listed cycad species MUST be registered with the issuing authority.

•  Registered nurseries may apply for a standing permit authorising certain activities involving specimens of listed cycad species (e.g. propagating cycads)

•  A registered nursery may also apply for nursery possession permits authorising a person to buy, transport or convey and keep in his or her possession a listed cycad species acquired from the nursery

•  Scientific institutions can apply for a standing permit authorising restricted activities involving listed cycad species

WHERE TO OBTAIN PERMITS

Except in a few specific cases (e.g. work in protected areas or work carried out by a national department), all permit applications will be dealt with by the provincial department responsible for nature conservation in the province in which the restricted activity is to be carried out.

Please do NOT apply to SANBI for permits.