Trade in Ivory Thriving in Britain Despite Ban

The Nation (Nairobi)

June 4, 2004

Naftali Mungai
Nairobi

Thousands of carvings made from ivory are on sale in Britain, despite a ban on ivory trade.

Most of the dealers do not have the necessary licences while others use forged documents, the Nation has learnt.

These findings are contained in a report launched yesterday by a former director of the Kenya Wildlife Service, Dr Richard Leakey.

Under British law, it is illegal to sell ivory carvings made after 1947, and those made before must be accompanied by documents giving proof of age.

"If the UK has failed in enforcement with the huge resources at its disposal, how can some of the range states seriously suggest that they can do a better job?" Dr Leakey asked in the report.

Titled Elephants on the High Street, the report was produced by the International Fund for Animal Welfare, and focused on ivory trade in the UK.

"The IFAW report is a challenge to those who claim that ivory trade can be effectively managed, Dr Leakey said.

The IFAW director for the UK, Ms Phyllis Campbell, said the report represented the findings of a two-month investigation of antique traders in London and other cities across Britain and over the Internet.

"The report shows that the UK is the third biggest source of intercepted illegal ivory, she said.

The ivory was intercepted while being smuggled into the US.