— ART EXPERT SERIES —
22
ND REPORT
UK’s ivory trade ban in force after long-fought campaign to protect endangered elephants — A few months ago, IFAW (International Fund for Animal
In Australia, a similar waiting game has played out with the
Welfare) celebrated a significant step forward for the
former federal government committing to close down the
protection of elephants. On June 6, three and a half years
country’s domestic ivory and rhinoceros horn markets more
after the United Kingdom government passed legislation to
than two years ago. While legal domestic markets anywhere
ban elephant ivory sales, it finally announced that it will begin
in the world remain open, a green light to continue supplying
enforcing the ban.
the demand for ivory is driving elephant poaching across both
From now on, it is illegal to trade in ivory items in the UK, except for very limited exemptions. The UK’s world-leading
Africa and Asia, and there are serious concerns that elephants may become extinct within just a few decades.
Ivory Act is one of the toughest bans on elephant ivory sales in
But, with a new government now leading Australia comes new
the world, with some of the strongest enforcement measures.
priorities, and IFAW hopes the implementation of this ban
Those who break the law now face prosecution and a fine of
will be one of them. While we wait for this legislation, IFAW
up to £250,000 or up to five years’ imprisonment.
continues to advocate the voluntary adoption of policies by
James Sawyer, IFAW UK Director, said: “It is a good day for elephants. IFAW campaigned long and hard for the ivory ban to be passed so that the UK could play no further part in the
Australian auction houses, following the lead of Leonard Joel, who has had a voluntary policy not to sell rhino horn or ivory pieces since 2016.
bloody ivory trade. After welcoming the passing of this vital
It’s now Australia’s turn to play its part and move from words
piece of legislation in 2018, we and the many others who want
to action and legislate the domestic ivory trade ban. The iconic
to see elephants safeguarded for future generations were
elephant’s conservation status cannot afford any further delay.
frustrated by the delays to it coming into force.
Elephants are intelligent and social animals that also play
“With thousands of elephants poached every year for ivory
an important role in the ecosystem, and even help combat
trinkets that nobody needs, this ban could not have come a
climate change by enabling greater carbon capture in the
moment too soon. It is now vital that the ban is effectively
landscapes they inhabit. They are often referred to as
enforced and that those who attempt to circumvent it face
‘ecosystem engineers’ as they help modify landscape as they
the full force of the law. This was promised as world-leading
feed and move through it, creating new clearings and space for
legislation and must be shown to be so, but this is a day to
other species to grow and thrive, as well as dispersing seeds.
celebrate for elephant conservation and we hope it will also
To protect elephants and the communities who live alongside
inspire other countries to close their own domestic ivory
them, IFAW also endeavours to secure land for safe pathways,
markets.”
providing elephants with room to roam.
Sawyer added: “IFAW believes ivory should only be valued
To find out more about IFAW’s work on ending the Australian
on a live elephant and the overwhelming public support for
domestic ivory trade, visit this website: https://www.ifaw.org/
banning the trade shows the majority of people feel the same.
au/projects/australia-wildlife-crime-prevention
Legal ivory markets have long provided a smokescreen for illegal trade, putting endangered elephants in further jeopardy. Ivory trading in the UK has now rightly been consigned to the history books and everyone who has played a part in this important conservation victory should be proud.”
26 | leonardjoel.com.au
CHRISTINA PRETORIUS / IFAW
ABOVE: A stock of illegal ivory
destroyed by the French government. Photo © IFAW
