Campaigners reveal illegal ivory trading across EU

Traders are selling illegal ivory openly across the European Union (EU), a campaign group said in a report on Tuesday.

The campaign group Avaaz said more than 100 ivory pieces it bought in 10 EU countries were found to be illegal after they were tested at Oxford University in Britain, indicating a loophole in relevant regulations.

In its report "Europe's Deadly Ivory Trade", Avaaz said a fifth of the items it bought had come from elephants killed after the global ivory trade was banned in 1989 and three quarters were from animals killed after 1947.

Under EU laws, government certificates are legally required for the sale of ivory acquired after 1947 and before 1990. Avaaz said none of the ivory it bought had certificates.

Avaaz campaign director Bert Wander said: "This bombshell evidence proves beyond doubt that illegal ivory is being sold across Europe. It must spark the end of this bloody trade. Every day (when) the sale of these trinkets continues is a day closer to wiping out majestic elephants forever."

The campaign group said it bought the items, both on-line and in shops, from antique dealers and private sellers over a four-month period in Britain, Ireland, Belgium, France, Bulgaria, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal and Spain.

It said the study counters claims by the European Commission that there was no evidence of illegal ivory trade in the 28 members of the EU.


To read the full article, click on the story title.