This probably belongs in the 'rhino conservation' section, but there is some urgency because the antis have got hold of this.

South Africa has proposed regulations around opening domestic trade in rhino horn, and export 'for personal uses'. The regulations are available here: Rhino horn trade draft

While I'm not qualified enough to do an extensive 'unpacking' of the topic here, my understanding of the important bits of the proposed regulations are:

- Rhino owners (private and state entities) may be issued permits to possess, and to trade, in WHOLE horn.
- Prospective buyers also need a permit, and can only buy two whole horns at a time
- Export is possible, 'for personal purposes' (a term that I hope has deliberately been left open to interpretation), provided the buyer is in possession of an import permit from his/her home country, or can show that such a permit will be issued. This would include, but not be limited to, hunting trophies.
- There are very specific provisions for serial numbers, microchips and DNA profiles of every single horn traded. This establishes a fully traceable chain.
- Trade in any horn shavings or sawdust from dehorning operations will be prohibited for three years initially, subject to review. This is to prevent overcomplicating the process with something difficult to trace, and closes the door for laundering of poached shavings. This does not mean that these shavings can't be sold in future.
- And here's the beauty of it all: none of this violates any CITES rules!!!!!

These regulations will show the world that a trade in rhino horns is possible. There is sufficient technology such as DNA profiling, to make every horn traceable.

There is a window for submissions of public comments until the 7th of March 2017 (email to Ms Boshoff (mboshoff@environment.gov.za)). I would encourage everybody to send a brief supportive email, with support mentioned in the subject line, because that mailbox will be filling up with anti drivel by the second.

Here's what I wrote:

"Re: Welcoming of draft regulations on domestic rhino horn trade

Dear Ms Boshoff,

I have read through and welcome the draft regulations.

- these show that by harnessing modern technologies such as DNA profiling, a system of full traceability can be implemented. This could go a long way towards instilling confidence in a legal, controlled international trade one day.
- No examples are given of what may constitute 'personal use', but I would support a fairly open interpretation of this as it could allow for some experimental exportation of horn for different end-use purposes outside of SA, where countries are allowed to legally import such horn.
- The licensing procedures will add additional burden onto often under-resourced local conservation authorities: application fees etc. should apply to recover some administrative costs from licenses.
- The prohibition on horn sawdust and shavings shows a responsible use of the precautionary principle, and is well argued. The fact that it can be reviewed in three years time is good, because once the regulations have been tested in practice for whole horn, such horn dust and shavings could form a valuable side-line for private rhino owners and government reserves, where such by-products are obtained from existing rhino management (dehorning) practices.
- On the prohibition of horn sawdust and shavings, rather than surrendering these to the state, rather let them be kept by the state for safekeeping until such a time as a trade in these byproducts could be determined. A system for labeling the source (private or government reserve of origin) and storage should be developed with stakeholders."