POLICY IMPLICATIONS
In the light of the serious decline in African elephant populations (1.3 million in 1979, and according to some estimates, as low as 625,000 today) the Government believes that there is now a case for transferring the species from Appendix II to Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Fauna and Flora (CITES), which would result in a ban on commercial trade in African elephant ivory and products (the Indian Elephant is already listed on Appendix I of CITES). This matter will be fully discussed at the Conference of CITES parties in October, and the UK will play a full part in these discussions. In the meantime, however, the Government is convinced that there is a need for more urgent action to minimise the threat to the African elephant while a long term strategy to ensure its future survival is worked out. The Environment Council supported this view, and the member states are unanimously agreed on the need for the proposed Community-wide import ban. The EC ban, if agreed, will restrict new supplies of ivory to a small number of UK firms involved in the ivory trade though movements of ivory within the Community and exports to countries outside the Community will not be affected. The Government recognises that many ivory traders in the UK and elsewhere obtain their supplies from approved legitimate sources, but is concerned that allowing imports to continue could provide a loophole through which illegal ivory might enter trade.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS
There are no financial implications arising from the proposed regulation.
TIMETABLE
The deadline for member states responses on the draft regulation is 4 July. If the regulation is accepted by qualifiied majority it will be published in the official Journal and will come into effect two weeks thereafter.