Zimbabwe Traditional Chiefs And EU Ambassador Van Damme In Wildlife Talks

EU Ambassador to Zimbabwe Philippe van Damme reassured members of the Zimbabwe Council of Chiefs that he will work towards convincing members of the European parliament to reject the proposed declaration to ban the import of hunting trophies into the European Union.

ZCC Chief Fortune Charumbira said after the meeting that the consequences of adopting the proposed declaration will cause unnecessary suffering for the people of Zimbabwe, as the revenue from regulated trophy hunting is being used to develop infrastructure and assist vulnerable local communities. The Chief also said that any shortcomings in trophy hunting regulations and practice will be addressed in cooperation with Minister Oppah Munchinguri-Sashiri.

The Zimbabwe Council of Chiefs had briefed the Ambassador on the situation of trophy hunting in Zimbabwe and EU representatives had discussed the issues with Government and other stakeholders, conservancies and parks authorities. It was reported that the EU Delegation will be looking at how the European parliament can be briefed on sustainable trophy hunting in Zimbabwe so that EU parliamentarians can fully understand the conservation, social and economic impacts of regulated trophy hunting. Ambassador van Damme urged Zimbabwe to fully comply with international standards regarding wildlife trade in order to win the confidence of the international community.