DAR ES SALAAM, June 16 (Xinhua) -- Tanzanian authorities said on Wednesday that a ban imposed on exports of live wild animals in 2016 is under review.
Mary Masanja, the Deputy Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism, made the remarks when she responded to Hamis Mwinjuma, a Member of Parliament for Muheza constituency, who wanted to know when the government will lift the ban on exports of butterflies and other live wild animals.
Masanja said the government is in the final touches of reviewing the benefits and losses made from live wild animal exports before making a final decision.
She said the ban was imposed after the government observed irregularities in the business, including transportation of protected wild animals abroad.
The government banned transportation of all live animals outside the country in March 2016 until proper procedures are made to ensure only approved animals will be transported.
The decision sparked anger from exporters who complained that the ban was a surprise decision to them as it was made just a month after they were given licenses for exporting the animals. Enditem
