Success: United Kingdom Plans to Ban Ivory Exports and Sales

Target: Michael Gove, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, United Kingdom

Goal: Thank the British environment minister for calling for a ban on nearly all sales and exports of ivory.

Following pressure from animal rights organizations and outcry from the online community, as seen in petitions such as this one on ForceChange, the United Kingdom has announced plans that it will put an end to the trade of nearly all ivory products. In stating his proposal, Michael Gove, the environment minister for the U.K., stated that he wants to “get as close to a total ban as possible” and that he is pushing for “a ban that is more comprehensive than anywhere in the world.”

Earlier this year, it was revealed that records from the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) showed that the United Kingdom was the largest exporter of legal antique ivory carved before 1947. According to experts in the global wildlife trade, the legal export and sale of ivory is often used as a front for illegal trade. It also helps fuel global demand, particularly in Asia. If this ban succeeds, it would likely result in less ivory available in the market overall, which may lower this demand.

According to the World Wildlife Fund, over 22,000 African elephants are killed for their tusks each year. In announcing this near-total ban on ivory sales and exports, the United Kingdom will be making an important first step toward ending the ivory trade altogether, which will save thousands of innocent lives. Sign below to thank the environment minister for this important proposal.

PETITION LETTER:

Dear Minister Gove,

I wish to thank you for listening to the voices of animal rights organizations and the public in pushing for a near-total ban on ivory sales and exports in the United Kingdom. With over 22,000 African elephants losing their lives each year to supply the ivory market in Asia, this is a necessary step in the right direction, as it will lessen the global demand for this product. Should the proposed legislation pass, it will be an important signal to the rest of the world that this trade must be brought to an end.

Thank you again for helping to ensure that African elephants will have a future in the wild.

Sincerely,

[Your Name Here]

Photo Credit: Christine Sponchia


13 Comments

  1. Thank you but nearly all is not good enough! We need to stop this completely and forever!

  2. Michael Gove might be a backstabbing little squirt but kudos to him for calling for an increase in punishment for animal abusers and now the sale of ivory.

  3. Denise Leblanc says:

    Michael Gove, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, United Kingdom

    Hey Miky,
    And WHEN is the date that the BAN WILL BE EFFECTIVE????? BEFORE THE END OF 2017?????????? IN 5 YEARS??????????? 10 YEARS????????????? WHEN???????????????

  4. Will that include antiques which are currently allowed to be traded? [pre-1947 I think]. Apart from antiques I thought there was a ban in place?

  5. When???????? In the year 3000?

  6. And when is the entire European Union going to ban ivory trade? Let’s see if they can do this as a united body?

  7. GREAT FOR THE ELEPHANTS.

  8. lynn woods says:

    I hope this is true but the ban should be all over and not just with elephants these sadists that trophy hunt and the chinese with their cruelty to animals should be stopped since when did god give man permission to treat his creatures so bad shame shame on all countries that are cruel to animals some day they will pay for what they do

  9. Lisa Zarafonetis says:

    Thank you❗️?
    Signed & shared ?

  10. Good For Them. However, this is Just a Start, and it should be Banned Forever!

  11. Sonja Beyer says:

    Yes, we would like to know WHEN???

  12. NEARLY ALL SALES?????????
    NOT GOOD ENOUGH!!!!!
    YOU CAN’T HALF OR ALMOST BAN SOMETHING!!!! ESP WHEN IT INVOLVES ANIMAL SUFFERING & SLAUGHTER!!!!!
    BAN IT COMPLETELY!!!!! ASAP!!!!!! NOT WHENEVER!!!!

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