National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act, 2004 (Act No. 10 of 2004)

Chapter 5 : Species and Organisms Posing Potential Threats to Biodiversity

Part 2 : Invasive species

73. Duty of care relating to listed invasive species

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(1)A person authorised by permit in terms of section 71(1) to carry out a restricted activity involving a specimen of a listed invasive species must take all the required steps to prevent or minimise harm to biodiversity.

 

(2)A person who is the owner of land on which a listed invasive species occurs must—
(a)[Section 73(2)(a) deleted by section 48(a) of the National Environmental Management Laws Amendment Act, 2022, GG46602, dated 24 June 2022: Commencement by Proclamation 125 of 2023, GG48860, dated 30 June 2023];
(b)take steps to control or eradicate the listed invasive species as prescribed by the Minister; and
(c)take all the required steps to prevent or minimise harm to biodiversity.

[Section 73(2)(b) substituted by section 48(b) of the National Environmental Management Laws Amendment Act, 2022, GG46602, dated 24 June 2022: Commencement by Proclamation 125 of 2023, GG48860, dated 30 June 2023];

 

(2A)The Minister may prescribe circumstances under which a competent authority must be notified in writing of the presence or occurrence of a listed invasive species.

[Section 73(2A) inserted by section 48(c) of the National Environmental Management Laws Amendment Act, 2022, GG46602, dated 24 June 2022: Commencement by Proclamation 125 of 2023, GG48860, dated 30 June 2023];

 

(3)A competent authority may, in writing, direct any person who has failed to comply with subsection (1) or (2), or who has contravened section 71(1), to take such steps—
(a)as may be necessary to remedy any harm to biodiversity caused by—
(i)the actions of that person; or
(ii)the occurrence of the listed invasive species on land of which that person is the owner; and
(b)as may be specified in the directive.

 

(4)If that person fails to comply with a directive issued in terms of subsection (3), a competent authority may—
(a)implement the directive; and
(b)recover all costs reasonably incurred by a competent authority in implementing the directive—
(i)from that person; or
(ii)proportionally from that person and any other person who benefited from implementation of the directive.