U.N. permits the sale of ivory to china
Published July 16, 2008 by CSBJ Staff
Bloomberg news is reporting that the United Nations’ Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species said it will allow southern African countries to sell elephant ivory in a one-off trade, skirting a ban on dealing in the product until 2016.
South Africa, Zimbabwe, Namibia and Botswana will be able to market 108 metric tons from their stockpiles, Geneva-based Cites said on its Web site today.
China will be allowed to buy and import the ivory. Proceeds will be used for elephant conservation.
The sale is designed to placate southern African countries who have a surplus of elephants while the animal is considered endangered in other parts of the continent such as Kenya.
China was previously barred from participating because of concern it was buying smuggled ivory.
Filed under CSBJ Daily
Since the governments aren’t going to take care of this, I guess we’ll need to appeal to consumers. PLEASE DON’T BUY IVORY!!! Elephants are incredible creatures who mourn the deaths in their community for three days. It is just TOO MUCH to think any beautiful animal should have to suffer and die so China can produce things in ivory. LET’S JUMP INTO THE 21st CENTURY, PEOPLE!!!!!!!