Loopholes allow ongoing ivory trade
In the Western World we take pride in our non-participation in the slaughtering of elephants for their tusks. However, what we aren't all aware of is how the European Union, although not necessarily visibly endorsing it, allows the trade of 'antique' ivory to remain legal. Recent news reports show harrowing footags of elephant carcasses scattered across the Botswana desert and consequently led to the expected scorning of those committing the horrific atrocities. While the poachers involved can undoubtedly be held directly responsible for their actions, the EU is making no effort to put an end to them. The loophole in the law leaves plenty of room for both the legal and illegal laundering of ivory and allows it to be openly auctioned within the EU; consequently, the global effort to put an end to the inhumane and simply shocking butchering of elephants is being completely undermined.
The law states that any ivory poached before 1990, classed as 'antique', may still be traded within the European Union. It will not come as a surprise that criminals can still export and import fresh ivory, claiming it to be older than it really is. Despite this clearly violating EU legislation, it is difficult, a very tedious process, for ivory to be dated and hence a blind eye is turned to any suspected infringement. This begs us to ask only one question: why doesn't the EU just completely ban any trading of ivory? Last year numerous NGO’s came together to put pressure on the European Union to put an end to the issue once and for all. However, despite this massive pressure, the EU completely backtracked on any possible moves forward, causing mass dismay.
A 2018 report formed from the collaboration between the non-profit organisation Avaaz, which promote global activism, Elephant Action Leaugue and the University of Oxford tells us how they found illegal ivory for sale in 10 European countries. These countries include: Belgium, Bulgaria, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain and the UK. Radiocarbon dating was used to test 109 pieces of supposedly antique ivory and results show that nearly one fifth of the ivory was found to have been taken after 1990. Elephant League reported that Bert Wander, campaign director at Avaaz, said: “This proves beyond doubt that illegal ivory is being sold across Europe. It must spark the end of this bloody trade. Every day the sale of these trinkets continues is a day closer to wiping out majestic elephants forever.” Nevertheless, these shocking reveals have made no impact on EU laws despite the storm they stirred up.
As it currently stands, the European Union is making no effort to end the slaughter of elephants and the species is falling closer to extinction, with a lot of calves being born without tusks as a result of survival of the fittest. Figures from World Elephant Day show that elephant numbers have dropped by 62% over the last decade, and they could be mostly extinct by the end of the next decade. These terrifying figures highlight how much of an immediately pressing issue this is and how vulnerable the beautiful species is. All that can currently be done is for as many people as possible to sign the circling petition by Rainforest Rescue which asks for a complete ban on the ivory trade. With a significant amount of backing and pressure, we must put an end to this horrific trade and save elephants from extinction.
Georgina Sharma, Year 12
The law states that any ivory poached before 1990, classed as 'antique', may still be traded within the European Union. It will not come as a surprise that criminals can still export and import fresh ivory, claiming it to be older than it really is. Despite this clearly violating EU legislation, it is difficult, a very tedious process, for ivory to be dated and hence a blind eye is turned to any suspected infringement. This begs us to ask only one question: why doesn't the EU just completely ban any trading of ivory? Last year numerous NGO’s came together to put pressure on the European Union to put an end to the issue once and for all. However, despite this massive pressure, the EU completely backtracked on any possible moves forward, causing mass dismay.
A 2018 report formed from the collaboration between the non-profit organisation Avaaz, which promote global activism, Elephant Action Leaugue and the University of Oxford tells us how they found illegal ivory for sale in 10 European countries. These countries include: Belgium, Bulgaria, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain and the UK. Radiocarbon dating was used to test 109 pieces of supposedly antique ivory and results show that nearly one fifth of the ivory was found to have been taken after 1990. Elephant League reported that Bert Wander, campaign director at Avaaz, said: “This proves beyond doubt that illegal ivory is being sold across Europe. It must spark the end of this bloody trade. Every day the sale of these trinkets continues is a day closer to wiping out majestic elephants forever.” Nevertheless, these shocking reveals have made no impact on EU laws despite the storm they stirred up.
As it currently stands, the European Union is making no effort to end the slaughter of elephants and the species is falling closer to extinction, with a lot of calves being born without tusks as a result of survival of the fittest. Figures from World Elephant Day show that elephant numbers have dropped by 62% over the last decade, and they could be mostly extinct by the end of the next decade. These terrifying figures highlight how much of an immediately pressing issue this is and how vulnerable the beautiful species is. All that can currently be done is for as many people as possible to sign the circling petition by Rainforest Rescue which asks for a complete ban on the ivory trade. With a significant amount of backing and pressure, we must put an end to this horrific trade and save elephants from extinction.
Georgina Sharma, Year 12