The British government announced a drastic ban on ivory sales to reduce elephant poaching.
- © Julia Migné
The British government has made a move to ban ivory sales in the UK after a consultation supporting the introduction of a complete ban was supported by more than 60,000 people.
The environment secretary Michael Gove announced that the sale of ivory of any age, with limited exceptions, will be fully banned in the country to reduce elephant poaching.
Mr Gove also added that the new law would “reaffirm the UK’s global leadership on this critical issue, demonstrating our belief that the abhorrent ivory trade should become a thing of the past”.
People breaking the ban by selling ivory will face up to five years in jail or an unlimited fine according to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).
WWF chief executive Tanya Steele said to the BBC that the UK stance made it a “global leader in tackling this bloody trade” and called for global action to stop elephant poaching.
To read the original story, click here.
