MP cheered by PM support for ivory ban
BOSWORTH’S MP has praised the work of Twycross Zoo and called for more action to end the barbaric trade in ivory.
Speaking in the House of Commons during Prime Minister’s question time, David Tredinnick asked what measures the Government were taking to eradicate the business, linked to the slaughter of thousands of elephants each year - and bringing the majestic species to the brink of extinction.
Addressing PM Theresa May, Mr Tredinnick said: “Is my right hon. Friend aware of the wonderful work at Twycross zoo in my constituency, breeding endangered species? Is she also aware of the critical problem of the demise of African elephants, which are being slaughtered at the rate of 20,000 a year? What will she do about banning ivory sales in London?”
The Prime Minister replied: “My hon. Friend raises an important point, and I commend those in his constituency who are doing that valuable work. Earlier this month, we set out proposals for a ban on ivory sales that we believe will help bring an end to poaching elephants.
“That would put the UK front and centre of global efforts to end the trade in ivory. I am sure that Members across the House are concerned about that issue. Ivory should not be seen as a commod- ity for financial gain or a status symbol. I think our proposals will make a real difference.”
Currently UK law allows trade in ‘antiques’ carved before 1947, despite international trade in ivory being illegal since 1990.
Now the Government has bowed to campaigners to introduce a total ban and has launched a consultation on the plans.
This proposes four categories of exemptions - musical instruments, items containing only a small proportion of ivory (a de minimis exemption), items of significant historic, artistic or cul- tural value and sales between museums.
The consultation is open until December 29.
The UK is the biggest exporter of legal ivory in the world and it is hoped shutting down the trade will prevent illegal ivory being laundered by criminals.
On average more than 50 elephants are killed by poachers every day and the population of African elephants has plunged by at least a third in the last decade, leading to warnings the entire species could become extinct.
As numbers decrease to and so demand increases and profits become every greater resulting in the trade growing into a transnational criminal activity worth an estimated £17 billion a year.
Speaking to The Hinckley Times, Mr Tredinnick said: “A total ban on ivory is very important. A lot of the ivory being sold as ‘antique’ is actually illegal ivory which has been stained or dyed to make it look old. The only way to prevent this is to stop the trade completely. It is essential we close the UK market and I am very pleased to have got that reassurance from the Prime Minister.”