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Wildlife Ranching South Africa (WRSA) was established in 2005, from the neccessity
of governments desire to deal directly with a national body and no longer with provincial
bodies representing the South African game or wildlife rancher. WRSA as it currently stands is a relatively new organisation, however most of its policies
have been carried over from the Northern Wildlife Organisation (NWO) and South African
Game Ranchers Organization (SAGRO) before that, which had been running for almost 30 years. WRSA is a non-profit organisation currently representing 1500 members of the registered
9000 game ranches. WRSAs main function is to liaise closely between the game ranchers,
non-governmental and governmental authorities to ensure a healthy working relationship,
assisting govenmental authorities with the setting up of policies, regulations and norms
and standards applicable to the wildlife industry. WRSA, as sole representative of the South African Game Rancher, represents the wildlife
industry on the national Wildlife forum, a forum innitiated by the minister of Envinronmental
Affairs and Tourism. Our main function and aim is to ensure that both parties, governmental
authorities and the game rancher, reach a favourable solution and therefore the policies will
be supported by government and positively implemented by the game rancher. 2008 saw the announcement of several new draft regulations, resulting in the attending of
numorous rounds of negotiations with regards to the policies; Meat Scheme Act 40 of 2000,
Damage Causing Animals, Alien and Invasive Species, Threatened or Protected Species,
Hunting Norms and Standards and many more. WRSA is proactive with a new marketing drive with the aim of building bridges and incorporating
the black game ranchers. We strive to be an all inclusive organisation. |
