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Lion breeders have gotten together in the wake of the publishing of draft regulations for the hunting industry and protected species. They have formed the South African Predator Breeders Association, which will present the viewpoint of lion breeders regarding the proposed legislation. The association says that the draft norms and standards are “so onerous that they would result in the total destruction of a legitimate, sustainable industry that is of national importance and is of benefit, not only to the economy, but to our national conservation objectives.” Comments are expected to include the industry’s value in terms of job losses, loss of income to communities that derive income from lion breeders, the effect on various service industries, and the loss of foreign currency.
The association acknowledged that “serious abuses involving major instances of cruelty by a small minority of breeders and hunters has taken place in the past and that the industry was in need of regulations (preferably national regulations) to stop these malpractices.” | 
