Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism Marthinus Van Schalkwyk announced that the date of effect for the Protected Species Regulations has been moved forward from June 1, 2007 to February 1, 2008. Van Schalkwyk’s decision was prompted by concerns raised by some Provincial Environmental Ministers who complained that there were some challenges which would make it difficult to implement the regulations by 1 June, according to South African news reports. Van Schalkwyk plans to phase out the controversial practice of “canned hunting” which is regarded as reprehensible and unethical, through the introduction of the regulations. His office gave no details of the challenges stated by the provincial Ministers. However, the new regulations seek to outlaw the hunting of captive-bred predators within two years of their release into a game farm for the purpose of hunting. North West Agriculture, Conservation and Environment Minister Mandlinkosi Mayisela welcomed Van Schalkwyk’s shifting of the implementation date to next year. He said this gave them some “breathing room” to engage further in discussion with the National Minister, with the hope of striking a favorable compromise for his province. Mayisela said that over 350 lions are hunted per year in North West province. While waiting for the regulations to come into effect, the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism will convene countrywide information sessions to ensure that the public and all other stakeholders are ready for implementation and compliance by February 1, 2008. The Department encouraged interested parties to apply for licenses or permits to avoid an unnecessary backlog on the effective date. The new regulations were developed in terms of the National Environmental Management Biodiversity Act 10 of 2004.