Chloe SmithMP for Norwich North
Chloe Smith
The UK will impose a ban on ivory sales to help bring an end to the poaching of elephants, under plans announced by Environment Secretary Michael Gove today.
The proposals will protect elephants and help combat poaching by removing opportunities for criminals to trade illegally-poached ivory. Today’s plans will be subject to a 12 week consultation and cover items of all ages, not only those created after a certain date.
The number of elephants has declined by almost a third in the last decade and around 20,000 a year are still being slaughtered due to the global demand for ivory. If current rates of poaching continue, elephants could become extinct within decades in some African countries, meaning that future generations of children may only see these majestic creatures alive in zoos.
The decline of elephants would also deprive some of the poorest countries in the world of their valuable natural capital, affecting economic growth and sustainable development.
Chloe said, "I am pleased to welcome the proposed ban on the sale of ivory, which I know has been the subject of much concern to my constituents. If you can, please take part in the consultation on the GOV.UK website".
There has to be a way of convincing Africans that they will be paid by protecting ivory, we should pay them to protect the animals, NOT kill them.
This will of course mean that their local government has to act, so if necessary we must support them to take this action. Also make it clear that perpetrators of ivory poaching will be publicly hung.
There must be enough governments world wide that would subscribe to this idea.