This document summarizes South Africa's regulations regarding alien and invasive species under the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act of 2004. It outlines the permit system for restricting and regulating the import and spread of certain species. Permits are required for 118 Category 2 invasive species and are issued by the Department of Environmental Affairs for restricted activities like growing, propagation, and import. Regulations divide species into categories requiring different levels of control or prohibition. The presentation provides examples of regulated species and outlines the permit application and review process. Contact details are provided for questions.

1. Alien and Invasive Species Regulations
National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act (2004)
Presentation to
SANA Biodiveristy Meeting
19 March, 2015
Livhuwani Nnzeru – Biosecurity – Dept of Environmental Affairs
Permits

2. Why do we issue permits?
Regulate imports
To regulate the import of
alien and listed invasive
species into the country.
Regulate invasives
occurring in South
Africa
To regulate Category 2
invasive species within the
country.
Night- blooming cereus
(Hylocereus undatus)1
Physic nut (Jatropha
curcas)
2

3. When are permits issued?
The Issuing
Authority issues
permits for:
1. The carrying out of
a restricted activity
involving a specimen of
an alien or a listed
invasive species
Growing 3
Propagation4

4. What species need permits?
Plants
Mammals
Birds
Reptiles
Amphibians
Fresh-water Fishes
Fresh-water Invertebrates
Marine Invertebrates
118 Category 2
invasive species
need permits

5. Invasive Species Categories
Category 1a Listed Invasive Species
 Take immediate steps to combat, or eradicate
where possible.
Category 1b Listed Invasive Species
 Control the listed invasive species.
Category 2 Listed Invasive Species
 Utilization allowed under Permit conditions.
 Control outside of the Permit conditions.
Category 3 Listed Invasive Species
 Subject to certain prohibitions (e.g. sell,
distribution).
 Category 3 plant specimens in riparian areas are
treated as Category 1b.

6. Gum (Eucalyptus) Category 2
 Eucalyptus camaldulensis - River red gum
 Eucalyptus cladocalyx - Sugar gum
 Eucalyptus conferruminata - Spider gum
 Eucalyptus grandis - Saligna gum
 Eucalyptus tereticornis - Forest red gum

7. Gums that need NO intervention
Exemptions
 50m from a homestead
 400mm diameter - Urban
areas
 Standing in cultivated land…
 Gums in a formal plantation
 Gums in Nama Karoo,
Succulent Karoo or Desert
Biomes
All exemptions fall away if the gum tree is in
(1)a riparian area or (2) a protected area

8. Who issues permits?
Biosecurity: Issuing
Authority
Provincial Ordinance
NEMBA Regulations,
2014
Permits
Issue Category 2 Permits

9. NEMBA AIS permitting process
Consult the relevant
provinces
If the application is
approved, a permit
will be issued
Permit Officer to inform
the applicant of the
outcome
Submit application Pay a fee
Risk assessment may
be needed
Consider risk
assessment report
Applicant must comply
with relevant conditions

10. Issuing of permits for Alien Species
coming into the country
Risk Assessment Review Panel
Provinces Specialists
National
Government
Recommendations
are made…
Decision on
issuing permit

11. NEMBA AIS risk assessments
Desktop Risk
Assessment
Importing Aliens Category 2
Comprehensive
Risk Assessment
Environmental
Assessment
Practitioner
Applicant

12. https://www.environment.gov.za/sites/default/files/docs/forms/permitapplication_
restrictedactivities_alienandlistedinvasivespecies.pdf
http://www.invasives.org.za/permits.html
Permit Application Form

13. Current permit application fees
The current fees for permits and appeals:
* Import into the Republic - R200 per species
* All restricted activities - R100 per species
* Renewal of permit - R50 per species
* Appeals - R50 per species Patula pine (Pinus
patula)4

14. Mr Livhuwani Nnzeru
Issuing Authority
Biosecurity Services Directorate
Department of Environmental Affairs
14 Loop Street, Cape Town
Tel: 021 441 2748/ Fax: 021 441 2751
Email: Lnnzeru@environment.gov.za
AISpermits@environment.gov.za
CONTACT DETAILS

15. Thank you
Pennisetum purpureum (Elephant grass) – Category 2
Thank you