Strong leadership globally will be instrumental in closing down these problematic legal ivory markets and removing regulatory loopholes that support
the illicit ivory trade.
Closing ivory markets eliminates loopholes for laundering
illicit ivory and reduces the demand for ivory as part of the global effort to stop elephant poaching and ivory trafficking.
The driving force, of course, is the high value of the resulting caches of
illicit ivory in China.
UN Secretary - General Ban Ki - moon commended this innovative joint initiative between the two partner UN Agencies: «The illegal trade in goods and services often funds unscrupulous people involved in human trafficking,
the illicit ivory trade and other areas that cause immense suffering and destruction.
IFAW argues that in online sales it's impossible to distinguish between legal ivory (antique pieces that predate strict trade treaties on endangered species) and modern,
illicit ivory harvested by poachers.
They run from solar energy incentives to banning the sale of
illicit ivory.
Not exact matches
Yet one area of this booming
illicit trade receives more attention than most: poaching for
ivory and rhino horn.
A lack of rules regulating the registration of raw
ivory and the licensing of importers, wholesalers, manufacturers and retailers has allowed
illicit stocks into Japan's domestic market, according to the report by the independent London - based Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA).
The campaign will encourage tourists to make informed decisions and help reduce demand for trafficking in persons, cultural artefacts, wildlife, fauna and flora such as
ivory products, as well as counterfeit goods, and
illicit drugs.
As with tiger parts, exotic pets, elephant
ivory, ebony and other rare, but coveted biological goods, stemming demand is as vital as clamping down on
illicit trade.
With its nearly unlimited scope, largely unregulated access and relative anonymity, the Internet has emerged as the preferred method for the
illicit trade of elephant
ivory and other endangered animals and their parts.
By facilitating the continued trade of illegal
ivory and animal parts, eBay remains a tacit participant in this
illicit activity to which thousand of elephants fall victim each year.
«The measures will send a very strong signal to the international community on Hong Kong's determination to curb
illicit trade in
ivory.»
«There's been an uninterrupted upsurge in
illicit trade in
ivory and rhino horns,» Mr. Milliken said.
This follows last week's revelation that Google was allowing similar
illicit sale of
ivory products by its Google Japan Shopping site.
As a key element of these efforts to reduce demand, disrupt the trade, and set a global example, we urge the United States to implement a moratorium on domestic
ivory trade — an important action that would build upon the messages of the
ivory crush and close loopholes in U.S domestic legislation that allow for
illicit trade to continue.