The Northern Province Department of Agriculture, Land and Environment has refused to issue the necessary permits to allow the export of baboon meat and body parts from an abattoir about to be built in Warmbaths.

The department sent out a stem statement yesterday, saying it would not issue the necessary Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species (Cites) permits for the export of the proposed baboon products, because the investors in the abattoir have not compiled an ecology impact study to determine the effect their venture might have on baboon populations in the country.

The businessmen intended producing salami, polony, ribs and canned baboon meat for human consumption in central Africa and parts of Europe. Body parts such as the teeth, nails and hands of the baboons are intended for export to Asia for use in aphrodisiacs.

Building on the abattoir is expected to commence on Monday but exact details on how the 1800 square metre plant is going to be run, and who is involved in the venture, has been kept a closely guarded secret. Environmental organisations believe that this is being done deliberately to limit negative publicity.

The Warmbaths Tourism Board has started a petition to try to stop the construction of the multi-million-rand plant because they are concerned about the possible negative affect it might have on tourism.

Karen Trendler from Wildcare, an organisation involved in the rehabilitation and welfare of wildlife, said their limited information on how the plant would operate suggests that the baboons would be captured alive and taken to the abattoir where they would be stunned with a stun-gun, similar to those used on domestic animals like pigs, before their throats were slit.

The organisation has expressed concerns about the humaneness of this method and the possibility of the spread of diseases like Aids through the export of baboon body parts.

"We have been trying to make contact with the businessmen involved. We would like the project to be put on hold until we get together," Trendler said.

Although baboons are not considered a threatened or endangered species in Southern Africa, no studies or counts have been done to determine their exact numbers.

A spokesman for the Northern Province department of Agriculture and Environmental Affairs, Thembi Makhuvele, said baboons were listed as a "Schedule 2" animal by Cites, and therefore all exports of baboons and their products were controlled through Cites permits. He added that because of the possible international outcry and the negative affect the venture could have on baboon populations, the department did not support the venture.

- Melanie-Ann Feris