House Chair, thank you very much for this opportunity and the great words coming from the portfolio committee. As usual, we are enriched by your comments and your invaluable input, not just in this debate but throughout. First of all I would like to acknowledge all the inputs made by all hon members. In the interest of time I will not go into detail. However, there are a few issues that I think require a direct comment from me.
We do agree with and acknowledge the work done after the climate change policy hearings, and also with the entire programme of work that the committee has identified. In this regard we are really looking forward to working with you, because you will be calling all the other committees whose work relates to this. Work will be done in particular around the legislative reform programme and a coherent, integrated financing strategy, as well as developing consensus around climate change action, priorities, sequencing and all the other issues that I am not raising now.
Similarly, the issues raised by hon Morgan relating to the overarching nature of our policies as the department for the environment, are invaluable and indeed deserving of attention. Those are some of the issues that we will need to discuss in that broad framework that will include the other departments that are relevant to the work we do. As you stated, climate change policies do not necessarily have to be under the National Strategy for Sustainable Development. It is, in fact, our agreement and understanding with the Department of Mineral Resources that the National Environmental Management Act is not a subservient Act. Even within the permit system they will have to consider the Act, with us, the department responsible for the environment, being the appeal authority and taking our rightful place.
On the issue of rhino poaching, I listened to your comments very carefully. I understand that we are all concerned. Like the hon Morgan I would like to say a big thank you to the people who spend sleepless nights in order to help us conquer the scourge of rhino poaching. However, I want to say that the Kruger National Park is, I think, something like 2 million ha. It is actually three or even five times bigger than the province I come from. Imagine if you have to "own the night" in a big place like that. It is not an easy thing.
We actually took journalists and left them there in the bush. They came back saying they did not understand how we managed to make the arrests we do succeed in making. It is not an easy thing, but because we have dedicated teams, they do make arrests and they make us proud. [Interjections.] Yes, hon Koornhof, even given the arrests we have made, we understand that one rhino killed is one too many. We do not want that to happen. However, we are really trying, using every means. Regarding that famous quotation by Albi Modise, he was quoting from several new measures that I had announced. By the way, they include the possibility of a moratorium.
Two MECs, from Gauteng and North West, are present in this august House. They were part of the discussions at Minmec level when we agreed that if an area did not show improvement in regard to how we deal with the closing of the loopholes that we see in the permit system, the Minister could move to implement a moratorium. However, at this stage, as far as a blanket moratorium is concerned, we are really careful and extra sensitive for various reasons. These reasons include, as you have been explaining, how trading happens, including opening up that trading potential. We are asked questions and have been pushed from all sides to allow trading. We do not think we are ready for that. We believe it would cause the situations you have referred to with the elephants and the lessons we have learnt from that ...