South African Court 'Lifts Ban On Rhino Trade'

South Africa has been battling to end poaching (Image credits: AFP)

A South African judge has lifted a domestic ban on trade in rhino horns, in a direct challenge to government policy put in place in 2009 to try to stem rocketing poaching numbers, the AFP news agency reports. The government gave no immediate reaction to the judge's ruling, which was delivered in the Pretoria High Court after two South African game breeders fought a legal battle to overturn the moratorium, it reports.

BBC News report continues:

The court decision comes ahead of a meeting in Johannesburg next year of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, which could lift the global ban.

South Africa's rhino poaching epidemic saw a record 1,215 rhino killed last year for their horns, and some private rhino breeders say selling legally harvested horns could stifle the lucrative black market trade.

"The moratorium on domestic trade in rhino horns is hereby reviewed and set aside," said the ruling from judge Francis Legodi, AFP news agency reports.