Meaty issue

The number of privately owned wildlife farms in South Africa grew from 3 500 in 1992 to over 10 000 in 2013. From these farms, nearly 150 000 tons of game meat is produced each year, making the industry the largest in the world. And yet, less than 2 000 tons of this meat is exported annually.

This year, about 1 500 game ranchers, together with NPO Wildlife Ranching South Africa (WRSA), will push for legislation to allow the industry to export game meat. According to an AFKInsider report, private game ranches are home to twice as many animals as public parks, while three times more conservation land is owned by private parties than by government.

Adri Kitshoff-Botha, CEO of WRSA, says the market is massively untapped. ‘There’s still an issue with lack of clarity regarding the legislation. The Department of Agriculture needs to finalise the legislation on the Game Meat Scheme and the Game Meat Act to safely produce game meat for use out there in South Africa and abroad.’