Close ivory markets to end poaching, CS Balala urges the EU

Kenya has asked the European Union to stop all trade in ivory, often falsely labelled as antique and hence legal.

“All legal ivory markets — whether in Asia or Europe — fuel illegal trade, poaching and killing of elephants,” Tourism CS Najib Balala said.

Balala, urged the EU — one of the world’s largest ivory traders — to close its domestic markets. He is in Brussels, Belgium. The CS met senior EU Commission and member state officials on Monday.

Yesterday, Balala met Jyrki Katainen, vice president of the European Commission, to present the case on ivory trade.

Balala also met the Japanese Ambassador to the EU.

“Most countries with significant legal markets have realised there is a clear link between their domestic ivory markets, illegal trade and poaching. We call on the EU and Japan to follow suit,” he said.

Balala said the EU is always seen as the global standard-bearer for promoting and protecting international biodiversity. “We need Europe to join us and become a leader with those countries that are taking action to close domestic ivory markets.”

Balala also communicated the concerns of the Africa Elephant Coalition. Elephant numbers are declining significantly in Africa and Asia.

Every year, at least 20,000 African elephants are killed for their ivory. Kenya’s elephants population is estimated at 35,000. Conservationists says only bold action can save jumbos from extinction.

China, US, Taiwan, Singapore and Hong Kong are taking steps to close their domestic ivory markets.

Other countries have, however, allowed the trade to flourish.

In the streets of European capitals, ivory trade is flourishing as long as it is sold as ‘antique’. This makes it difficult for the law enforcement to easily determine the age of ivory, treated to look ‘antique’.

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