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WWF calls for urgent end to UK domestic Ivory Trade

Parliament will debate the future of the UK’s domestic ivory market ahead of a public consultation which is due to be announced. WWF-UK is calling for an urgent end to the UK’s domestic ivory market.

As the poaching crisis continues, on average an elephant is illegally killed every 25 minutes* in Africa. The illicit slaughter continues, driven by the global demand for ivory, with the majority of elephant tusks smuggled by criminals into Asia, despite an international trade ban. 

Tanya Steele, CEO of WWF-UK comments:

“During the time that parliament will debate the UK’s domestic ivory market, another six elephants could be killed by poachers. This is a matter of life and death. It is time for the government to take all possible action to end the illegal global ivory trade.

“We urgently need the UK to take a stand for elephants, continue to demonstrate global leadership and implement a ban without delay.  Such a commitment will send a strong message that the UK refuses to play any part in the illegal ivory trade. The world will be looking to London as we host the next illegal wildlife trade conference in 2018. It is vital that we continue to take a strong stance on this illicit activity.”

Recent evidence has revealed that the UK’s legal ivory market has been used as a cover for trade in illegal ivory and some shipments are destined for Asia – showing that current regulations must be strengthened. So although last year the government committed to tightening the current ivory trade laws, stricter measures are needed. WWF-UK is urging the government to close ‘antique’ as well as ‘modern’ ivory markets. This would set a precedent for other countries worldwide where demand for ivory strongly contributes to the ongoing elephant poaching crisis.

The public consultation on the UK’s ivory trade controls is expected to be announced in the coming days or weeks. The government will use this to consult on plans for its promised ‘modern-day’ ivory ban, but we also hope it will ask the question of whether trade in ‘antique’ ivory (pre 1947) should also be banned.

During the last seven months there has been monumental progress to reduce ivory demand and stem elephant poaching. China, home to the world’s greatest legal and illegal ivory markets announced they will ban domestic trade by the end of 2017. The US has introduced a near-total ban and Hong Kong has committed to closing its domestic market.

WWF-UK is calling on all countries to make and uphold strong commitments to close domestic ivory markets. Particular focus must be on countries that are major markets for illegal and legal ivory, including China, Thailand and Vietnam.

Zhou Fei, Head of TRAFFIC China and Wildlife Trade Programme of WWF China said:

“In China, we welcome increased action in controlling the ivory trade in the UK to contribute to global solutions to stop illegal ivory trade and thus elephant poaching.  Antique ivory in UK is used as a legal source for traders in Asia, especially in China. China has now banned the import of antique ivory from Europe. It’s essential that the UK also adopt a strong ban to help to reduce the demand for ivory in China’s market.”

However, global bans on domestic ivory trade will not be enough to stem the relentless poaching of wild elephants. It is critical that governments worldwide unite to tackle the illegal ivory trade and address corruption, as well as improve law enforcement and demand reduction strategies. The illegal wildlife trade is the fourth largest illegal trade behind drugs, human trafficking and counterfeiting, worth over an estimated £12 billion annually. It is a serious, organised crime that is decimating wildlife populations, threatening local livelihoods and fuelling further criminal activity.

Notes to editor:

*based the recent estimate that around 20,000 elephants are killed by poachers in Africa each year.

For more information please contact:

Lianne Mason | WWF-UK | lmason@wwf.org.uk | +44 777 1818699

About WWF

WWF is the world’s leading conservation organization, working in 100 countries for nearly half a century. With the support of almost 5 million members worldwide, WWF is dedicated to delivering science-based solutions to preserve the diversity and abundance of life on Earth, halt the degradation of the environment and combat climate change. WWF has been active in Nepal since the 1960s and remains committed to the vital work being done in the region to save its unique and irreplaceable biodiversity.

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