GRAAFF-REINET NEWS - The hunting season opened with the move from phase five to phase four of lockdown on 1 May, but the hunters are keeping their fingers off the trigger for now.
Angela Thokozile Didiza, Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development, announced that the entire agricultural sector may reopen under strict conditions. The conditions, however, are unclear to farmers and hunters.
Dave Stern, chairperson of the Graaff-Reinet Agri District Union, said on Monday that the farmers and hunters are awaiting clarity on the conditions surrounding hunting. "As far as we know you may hunt, but you may not sell the products," he said.
Stern said the level four regulations are clear that people may only drive to work, shops and other gazetted places. They don't know what the interim level four law is on how to get a permit to hunt, transport firearms and get the game meat to destinations.
"There is a lot of uncertainty," said Stern.
According to Stern, hunting brings in billions for Agri. In the Camdeboo district, biltong hunting alone is a lucrative industry.
There is also uncertainty whether game farmers may shoot on orders and requests. The farmers do not know how to get the venison, skins and horns delivered.
"Government said you may hunt, but what if you get caught at a roadblock with the product? Nobody wants to be jailed," Stern added.
In the meantime, the game farmers can make sure their fridges are filled with venison, awaiting clarity on the movement of hunting products.
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