01 Apr 2023

Taking advantage of the opportunities offered by the AfCFTA to grow trade in wild meat will be greatly facilitated by identifying and addressing non-tariff barriers (NTBs) that restrict the intra-African wild meat trade. This report evaluates aspects of the AfCFTA NTB mechanism and in particular and considers its appropriateness as a forum of dispute resolution for the barriers identified within the scope of this research.

29 Mar 2023

Wild harvested crops are a vital source of food in much of the world. Some common wild edible plants in southern Africa include wild mushrooms, such as Termitomyces titanicus, orchids from the genera Disa, Habenaria and Satyrium, and various wild vegetables such as wild spinach (an amaranth), and Cleome species.

01 Mar 2023

The Global Biodiversity Framework launched at the Conference of Parties meeting in Montreal in December 2022 provides a global mandate for countries to create partnerships to promote wildlife enterprise that restores rather than converts landscapes to other land uses. The theme for World Wildlife Day 2023 embraces this vision.

9 Mar 2023

Designated protected areas for wildlife – such as national parks – are the world’s principal conservation strategy. But this model to conserve wildlife in Africa is increasingly coming under pressure. Changing climates, volatile economies and political systems, conflicting sentiments around wildlife management practices (like trophy hunting) and unpredictable events, such as pandemics, are just some of the threats that undermine conservation efforts.

22 Feb 2023

Sustainable use has a central role in the Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) adopted at the recent 15th Conference of the Parties of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD COP15). This includes a section of targets on “Meeting people’s needs through sustainable use and benefit-sharing.” Most interestingly, however, is the role of sustainable use in conserving areas.

21 Feb 2023

Many conservation researchers and practitioners alike are recognizing the importance of human-wildlife coexistence. But what does coexistence mean and how does it happen? Several definitions have been proposed. I prefer the one by Carter and Linnell where coexistence is when humans and wildlife develop appropriate adaptations to sustainably live together in shared landscapes. One way that humans adapt to living with wildlife is by developing institutions that help manage the relationship between humans and wildlife. 

10 Feb 2023

We are introducing our partner, Sahara Sahel Foods. It is a social enterprise in Niger with the aim of achieving food self-sufficiency through the production and consumption of wild perennial crops in the Saharo-Sahelian region.

23 Jan 2023

A gap is further widening between debates that were taking place at international platforms recently which are concerning the way forward of conservation and sustainable use concepts.

19 Jan 2023

The use of terms is important in international policy. Words attempt to shape a common understanding of the challenges and responses set out in multilateral agreements. A most interesting outcome of the recent 15th Conference of the Parties of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD COP15) is the return of the term wild – notably in the new Global Biodiversity Framework in which it appears seven times. 

19 Dec 2022

After many, many months of consultations and negotiations, the 15th Conference of the Parties of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD COP15) has agreed on the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF). There is much in the GBF which supports the development of the wildlife economy in Africa...

15 Dec 2022

Expanding the value chain of Kinkeliba is a way to boost economic growth and advance bio-trade revenues in the continent while conserving natural habitats, especially in Senegal, West Africa where there is already a market to supply.

14 Dec 2022

At the current Conference of the Parties of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD COP15) alongside negotiations on a post-2020 global biodiversity framework, several other important issues are under discussion. This includes a path-breaking decision by COP15 to mainstream the sustainable use of wild species.

06 Dec 2022

The recent 19th Conference of the Parties of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES CoP19) mostly increased or maintained non-tariff barriers to the trade in African wildlife products. A notable exception was to allow Namibia to sell live rhinos to conservation areas elsewhere on the continent. The Summary Records of CoP19 on the outcomes of the Appendices proposals for African species indicate that many African countries continue to support trade barriers over trade liberalisation.

29 Nov 2022

With some fanfare, the 19th CITES CoP ended last week. Many conservationists celebrated the fact the numerous species (including various songbirds, turtles, frogs, and sharks) had achieved new ‘trade protections’ – meaning that they are now subject to additional restrictions on international trade, as per listings on the CITES Appendices. However, unlike the previous (18th) CoP (which saw the Appendix II listing of giraffes), no additional meaningful trade restrictions were placed on any species of African megafauna.

25 Nov 2022

The UK House of Commons is currently considering a Hunting Trophy (Import Prohibition) Bill. The aim of this bill is to:

At the second reading on Friday, 25 November 2022, Sir Bill Wiggin MP made a thought-provoking comment on the bill.