EPI countries are committed to closing domestic ivory markets as a means to reduce elephant poaching. This is because domestic markets:
Increase demand for ivory, and thereby provide incentives for people to source the product, legally or illegally.
Encourage people to stockpile ivory in the hope of future legal sales.
Provide cover for the illegal trade, with criminals finding ways to launder illegal ivory into legal.
Make law enforcement more difficult, because of complex legal frameworks around the possession, buying and selling, of ivory.
Undermine the international moratorium on commercial ivory trade.
Progress
Since 2014 many countries around the world have taken measures to close their domestic ivory markets. EPI member states, and the EPI Foundation, have played an important role in this process, through lobbying and support.
In 2016 the USA implemented a near-total ban on commercial trade in elephant ivory.
In 2016 CITES adopted amendments to a Resolution that recommended all countries to close any domestic ivory markets that might be contributing to poaching or illegal trade.
In 2016 France introduced a total ban on all ivory sales.
In 2017 China closed its domestic ivory market.
The UK Ivory Act 2018- which came into force in 2022- put in place a strict ban on ivory sales, with limited exemptions. In 2023 the UK government announced its intention to extend the Ivory Act to cover hippopotamus, walrus, and various whale species.
In 2020 Taiwan enforced a ban on domestic ivory sales, maintaining exceptions for ivory products designated as antiques. New Zealand also closed its domestic ivory market in 2020.
In 2021 Hong Kong and Singapore closed their domestic ivory markets.
The EU updated its restrictions on ivory trade in 2021. These guidelines were not legally binding, and were up to each member state to implement. However in 2022 the EU published new measures to ban most trade in ivory. Exceptions are antiques and musical instruments containing pre-1975 pieces of ivory.
In 2023 Canada announced a ban on ivory sales.
In 2015, 25 African elephant range states adopted the Cotonou Declaration calling for the closure of domestic ivory markets. Over the past decade, EPI member states have revised and strengthened laws to protect wildlife and close domestic ivory markets, although some have loopholes which potentially allow illegal ivory to be laundered into becoming legal. These loopholes need to be tightened and closed. Between 2015 and 2018, a project funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), implemented by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), and executed by the Conservation Council of Nations (CCN), facilitated legislators in Botswana, Gabon, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe to set up parliamentary conservation caucuses to push for reforms of wildlife laws. The project aimed to increase the capacity and willingness of policymakers to assess and address poaching and illegal wildlife trade at the highest levels of government. In each of these countries legislation has been, or is due to be, passed that strengthens penalties against poaching.
As part of the CITES National Legislation Program, Botswana, the Republic of Congo, Gambia, Guinea and Kenya are reviewing their laws to support the implementation of CITES regulations within their respective countries. Côte d’Ivoire and Nigeria are in the process of revising and tightening wildlife laws. Benin is revising its forestry code, which will strengthen protection of elephants. Angola revised its wildlife law in 2016.
Meanwhile;
One of the world’s most important ivory markets, Japan, is still open. The Japanese authorities are implementing strict measures to ensure this market does not contribute to poaching and illegal trade.
Vietnam’s market remains open. This country has been a significant driver of illegal wildlife trade in recent years.
Thailand’s market is also open for Asian elephant ivory, albeit with strict regulations.
Australia still lacks a domestic ivory and rhino horn trade control framework.
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