Fiona welcomes the plans announcement by Environment Secretary Michael Gove that the UK will impose a ban on ivory sales to help bring an end to the poaching of elephants.
The proposals will protect elephants and help combat poaching by removing opportunities for criminals to trade illegally-poached ivory. The plans will be subject to a 12 week consultation and cover items of all ages, not only those created after a certain date.
The number of elephants has declined by almost a third in the last decade and around 20,000 a year are still being slaughtered due to the global demand for ivory. If current rates of poaching continue, elephants could become extinct within decades in some African countries, meaning that future generations of children may only see these majestic creatures alive in zoos. The following exceptions have been suggested as part of the consultation:
- musical instruments;
- items containing only a small proportion of ivory, a de minimis exemption;
- items of significant historic, artistic or cultural value;
- and sales to and between museums
Fiona said:
"I welcome the plans announced by the Environment Secretary Michael Gove that the UK will impose a ban on ivory sales. This is a campaign which I have long supported and have spoken in Parliament about. The gravity of the need to act on the ivory trade is undeniable."
You can read Fiona's speech about the ivory trade here: https://goo.gl/vji555
You can read more about the proposals here: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-sets-out-plans-for-ivory-…