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Certification in Papua New Guinea!
Eric Langelet explains the challenges and outcomes of certification
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Did the standards prompt you to make some changes in your farming practices?
Yes, but as a Founding Member of ICFA, we have been progressively making these changes each time a draft GOP was submitted for our perusal. So, there was no last-minute rush or panic to get ready just before the auditor’s visit.
What do you expect from the standards implementation?
These standards are teaching us the importance of working as a team and to have functional monitoring, reporting and, of course, corrective action systems in place. They also promote the sustainability of our industry.
Why did you consider the need for certification?
As the production and international trade of livestock products – and more particularly the trade of exotic leather goods – are becoming more and more scrutinized by various groups of animal rights and welfare activists – and also being more tightly regulated by the government agencies of the importing countries – I believe that it has become very important for the farmers to show that we do care about the good health & welfare of our animals, the protection of the environment and that were are also actively embracing more sustainable farming practices.
How long did it take to obtain the certification?
We were basically “ready” just before the COVID19 pandemic suddenly closed the international borders. We then had to wait till they re-opened and for the removal of the quarantine restrictions before the independent BSI auditor could visit us. Our first audit was successfully completed in May 2022 and our ICFA certificate was issued in June.
What did you consider the most demanding in the certification process?
Our biggest challenge was probably to educate our staff about the importance of complying with the SOPs – no shortcuts! –, to pay attention to small details and most importantly to systematically report, record & take immediate action to fix any (even minor) nonconformity issues.
Also, Papua New Guinea being a developing country and an island known as the “Land of Unexpected”, it is often very challenging to manage a complex operation as crocodile farming. Many items that are often readily available off the shelf in many other parts of the world must be imported from overseas and can often take several frustrating weeks (or even months!) before being delivered.
The lack of local expert consultants (veterinarians, specialist repairmen…) is also another big challenge for us.
What is the recent achievement that you are the proudest of?
I think our proudest achievement, despite the current economic turmoil and the usual logistical challenges faced when travelling around PNG, is to still be able to continue supporting the sustainable use of the wild crocodile populations in Papua New Guinea. This unique crocodile conservation and protection program not only has a positive impact on our (still) pristine wetlands but also contributes to the economic development of the communities living in the remote areas of the country.
Do you already return some benefits from the standards implementation or the certification?
I think our biggest benefit so far has been the continuous “on the job” training of our employees. The regular internal audits and tools box meetings, emphasizing the need to comply with the GOPs, SOPs or S.H.E. regulations, are all having a positive impact on their motivation to perform better.
The most significant domino effects of this, is the improved general upkeep of the farm, better welfare and health of our animals and most importantly better quality of their skins.
Are there fields on which you consider that the standards could be more demanding?
I think that our next battle will be to strengthen the biosafety, environmental and traceability standards. More specifically for farmers that market crocodile meat products. We are just coming out of a pandemic caused by a virus that is suspected to have originated from a wild animal. We certainly do not want to have fingers pointed at us for triggering the next outbreak…
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Huge win in California
In a major victory for the luxury goods industry worldwide, the Chief U.S. District Judge for the Eastern District of California has sided with industry and Louisiana in a lawsuit challenging California’s ban on the importation and sale of alligator products: the court declared California’s ban on alligator and crocodile leather and products invalid.
The ruling came in Tuesday March 7. This is a huge win for leather artisans, brands, tanners, and conservation since the sale of alligator eggs encourages private landowners to keep habitats in their most pristine form. This sustainable use program is what has brought the American alligator population from less than 100,000 animals in the wild in the 1960s to over 5 million in the USA today.
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Christy Plott: an ICFA speaker
at United Nations
World Wildlife Day in Washington, DC
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Friday, 3 March 2023 celebrated the 50th anniversary of CITES and the United Nations World Wildlife Day. This year’s theme was ‘Partnerships for Wildlife Conservation’ in acknowledgment of the various partnerships around the world that contribute to conservation and recovery of species and the safeguarding of precious habitats of fauna and flora.
The official World Wildlife Day 2023 event was held in Washington DC at the National Geographic Society’s Grosvenor Auditorium where a number of esteemed speakers addressed a small audience of invited members and the world via livestream. Notable speakers included CITES Secretary-General Ivonne Huguero and the United States Secretary of Interior, Deb Haaland.
One of the partnership stories that was highlight in this year’s World Wildlife Day was the recovery of the American alligator through sustainable use. ICFA Board Member and Communications Chair, Christy Plott, delivered the message saying that partnerships between government, science, and brands created “a true success story” for sustainable use and conservation.
CITES Secretary-General Ivonne Higuero, remarked, “We are at a crucial moment confronting a crisis of rapid biodiversity loss, changing climate and rising pollution on our planet. For the last half a decade, CITES Parties and stakeholders have been building partnerships to support the conservation of our wildlife. Those partnerships must be continued and strengthened to address our environmental challenges and allow us to achieve our shared vision to change our relationship with nature and not ask from it more than it can give us. Washington DC is the birthplace of CITES, and there is no more fitting place to renew our commitment and embark on the next 50 years of our work.”
Martha Williams, Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service noted, « This year marks the 50th anniversaries of CITES and the U.S. Endangered Species Act, both of which are vital to the protection of numerous species in the face of climate change, wildlife trafficking, habitat loss and fragmentation, and other challenges. The successful recovery of species under CITES and the ESA underscores the importance of partnerships – including engaging with Indigenous people and rural and local communities – to protect our planet for future generations. »
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This year’s World Wildlife Day may be watched at the following YouTube:
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Sustainable development stories from ICFA members
NORTH QUEENSLAND
WILDLIFE TRUST
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The North Queensland Wildlife Trust (NQWT) was established in 2004 by the Freeman family who own and operate Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures, Kuranda Koala Gardens and Birdworld Kuranda. The Trust provides an easy mechanism for visitors to make an active contribution to the conservation of native species and local habitats.
Visitors are encouraged to donate their spare change at the various collection boxes located in each wildlife park. For each dollar collected, the business holding the donation box matches the cash collected, dollar for dollar. Conditions apply; individual contributions are matched up to the value of $100.
Since inception, the North Queensland Wildlife Trust has distributed in well in excess of $200,000 to local conservation groups with Deductable Gift Recipient (DGR) Status. To comply with Australian Taxation Office requirements, NQWT can only distribute funds to DGR approved not-for-profit organisations.
All applications for funds from the ‘NQWT’ must be in writing, preferably by completing the official Application Form. Each application will be assessed on its worthiness to conserve native species and local habitats, and will from 2023 be supplemented by an automatic $2.00 donation from each wildlife encounter photo.
The below are just a snapshot of some of the support provided by NQWT:
• Rehabilitation of Cassowary habitat in Daintree and Mission Beach;
• Restoration of Tree Kangaroo habitat on Petersen’s Creek, Yungaburra;
• Breeding for release of endangered Gouldian Finches;
• Construction of facilities and funded specialist training for wildlife carers;
• Research into the prevalence of Northern Bettongs;
• Expansion and support of the Turtle Hospital on Fitzroy Island;
• Restoration of a wildlife corridor for Spotted Tailed Quolls.
While the previous three years have presented major challenges in terms of tourism visitation and dealing with the obstacles associated with Covid lockdowns and the gradual reopening of the North Queensland tourism industry, the Freeman family have continued to ensure the fundraising for environmental, wildlife care and conservation needs in the local region continued. This even included a system of applying the proceeds of plastic bottles used by park visitors via the Queensland Government Recycling program to the wildlife trust fund.
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Four extremely worthy causes were selected to share a pool of $20,000 this December, 2022.
- Dr Karen Coombes, Tree Roo Rescue and Conservation Centre Ltd’s facility in Malanda on the Atherton Tablelands received $5,000 to go towards assisting to fund a “Casual Animal Attendant Level 3” position to support Karen to continue with her remarkable work, rescuing and caring for Lumholtz’s tree kangaroos. Dr Karen, her husband and assist are currently caring for 23 adult and one joey Lumholtz’s tree kangaroos with the peak ‘rescue’ period occurring between August to March. Sadly, this dedicated carer who, with her husband has been rescuing and caring for Lumholtz’s tree kangaroos for over 24 years on the Atherton Tablelands and previously as wildlife carers in Darwin, has recently suffered a heart attack resulting in a quadruple bypass. This has greatly impaired her ability to undertake cleaning of enclosures, feeding and direct hands-on care of the animals. It goes without saying, Dr Karen needs all the help and support possible. Ideally, they would like assistance for two funded carers, to enable them to not just undertake the rescue and care work, but also free her to undertake urgent research into the range of problems which Dr Karen is encountering with the ‘tree roos’, including the mysterious blindness which impacts even young and healthy animals.
- Dr Alison Bee, Magnetic Island Koala Hospital Ltd was created for the rescue and rehabilitation of injured, sick and orphaned Koalas on Magnetic Island, North Queensland. The facility was set up by Dr Ali and her husband Tim in 2006 when she worked as a veterinarian on Magnetic Island, and recognised the need for longer term care of injured Koalas. The facility received $5,000 from the North Queensland Wildlife Trust to support the provision of gold standard veterinary medicines for the annual intake of Koala patients and also fund necropsies where needed to guide treatment decisions. The primary objective is to rescue, care for and rehabilitate the Koalas to where possible, return them to their native habitat and support the Koala population on Magnetic Island and wider North Queensland. It is not widely appreciated or understood that Koalas do occur in the wild in North Queensland and there are limited options if they are injured or become too unwell to manage in their natural habitat. Peter and Angela Freeman, recently travelled to Magnetic Island to personally meet with Ali and Tim to discuss their immediate needs plus support their long-term goal of establishing a fully operational and well-appointed Koala and Wildlife Hospital facility on the Island. Dr Ali is supported by not just husband Tim but also daughter Izzy Bee, who despite her age, is an experienced hand in Koala rescue and rehabilitation. Other volunteers also on Magnetic Island are supporting Ali and the Koala Hospital with accounting and management advice, but far more is needed. Peter and Angela have established a new fundraising system at their Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures and Kuranda Koala Gardens where every wildlife photo will include a pre-set donation to the North Queensland Wildlife Trust, which is intended to significantly increase the amount of funds which will be available to support dedicated carers like Ali and her family. They will shortly receive an additional $5,000 to assist with attending the national Koala Conference and funding for legal fees to support their foundation to become able to accept Tax deductable donations.
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- In addition to wildlife care projects, the North Queensland Wildlife Trust is providing funds to support the acquisition and rehabilitation of Daintree Rainforest. $5,000 has been donated to Rainforest4.org, Kelvin Davies for Lot 34 Cape Tribulation Road. This donation provided the foundation funding to kick off their fundraiser to cover the acquisition price of $240,00 and restoration activities of $60,000. Once restored, this property will provide additional habitat for the endangered Sothern Cassowary. After three years, the rehabilitated Lot 34 will ultimately be transferred to The Eastern Kuku Yalanji Aboriginal people, the Traditional Owners of Daintree National Park (CYPAL). Daintree National Park (CYPAL), is jointly managed by the Jabalbina Yalanji Aboriginal Corporation and the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service, in accordance with an Indigenous Management Agreement and other land management arrangements. Since providing the funding in December, 2022 Rainforest4.org has now raised sufficient funds to acquire Lot 34 and have now taken possession of the property for rainforest rehabilitation work to commence.
- Last but by no means least is the allocation of $5,000 to long time recipient of North Queensland Wildlife Trust support, Rainforest Rescue, Kristin Canning and Branden Barber, to contribute funding for the acquisition of Lot 41 (Licuala Rainforest Sanctuary) Daintree Rainforest. This property is located on the southern side of the Alexandra range bordering the Daintree National Park. It is a large ‘missing piece’ in the Cape Kimberly Wildlife Corridor. It is a perfect example of intact Daintree rainforest being Australia’s most ancient and biodiverse landscape. The goal of raising $500,000 via crowd funding to secure this 18 hectare parcel has been achieved. With the help and support of the North Queensland Wildlife Trust another key section of pristine habitat has been saved. The property has been in the hands of a lovely and committed couple for 20 years. Due to the passing of one party, the remaining spouse their dream to ensure this pristine property is preserved forever has been achieve. Rainforest Rescue also work closely with Jabalbina Aboriginal Corporation.
Earlier this year Peter and Angela Freeman in conjunction with the Zoo Association of Australia and New Zealand provided $2,000 in NQWT funding to assist volunteers in Europe with the care and relocation of wildlife held in Zoos and facilities in Ukraine, displaced by the current war.
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Last March, ICFA had the pleasure to renew its lecture about the sustainability of exotic leather to the students of the master sustainability of fashion at Accademia Costume et Moda in Milan.
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