;
as low as 625,000 today) the Government believes that there is now a case for transferring the species
species from Appendix II to Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITIES), 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 CITIES). This matter will be fully discussed at the Conference of CITIES parties in October, and the UK will play a full part in these descussions.
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 stop any new supplies of ivory to the small number of UK firms involved in the ivory trade, although 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 further imports to continue could provide a loophole through which illegal ivory might enter trade.
There is however a need for some flexibility to ensure that, following the introduction of a Community wide ban, imports of certain types of ivory products in appropriate circumstances can continue. The "exceptional circumstancs" referred to in the
regulation have yet to be defined.
There may be some
some doubt as to the correctness of the proposed legal base of the regulation. However, in the light of the overwhelming political importance to the UK and other member states of the adoption of an urgent interim measure, it would seem inappropriate to dwell on the legal base question.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS
There are no financial implications arising from the proposed regulation.
TIMETABLE
The deadline for member states responses on the draft regulation was 4 July. The Commission have informed us that agreement was not reached through the written procedures and the matter will be put to the vote at the EC CITIES Committee meeting on 27/28 July.
If the regulation is accepted by qualified majority it will be published in the Official Journal and will come into effect two weeks thereafter.