Game On! Understanding the Emerging Game Meat Value Chain in South Africa

Abstract

Game farming (wildlife ranching is a related term) constitutes an increasingly important land use in rural South Africa. This Guidance Memo traces efforts to formalize and increase the production of game meat in the sector, following a period of game farming expansion and, in some instances, intensification. We consider the game industry’s intersection with hunting, game breeding, ecotourism, and processed game products, in a context where growing concerns about biodiversity loss globally are drawing new attention to the sector. Diverse changes related to breeding practices, farm conversions and new investment patterns, hunting norms, and the emergence of community game farms through land reform are resulting in increasing game populations, even as a recent collapse in game prices and economic shut-downs associated with COVID-19 have destabilized game operations. The industry is now at a crossroads, when efforts to expand and formalize the game meat value chain are gathering momentum as a possible way forward. We highlight key gaps in the regulatory framework for game meat production and reflect on the concerns that an expanded value chain may raise with respect to socio-economic development and racial transformation, environmental sustainability, and human health and animal welfare. The Memo culminates in six recommendations for front-line persons and policy makers, intended to ensure that future developments with respect to game meat production occur in an inclusive, sustainable, safe and ethical manner.