The export of old (so-called pre-Convention) ivory is prohibited in Germany. The European Commission now plans to adopt a similar approach and suspend the export of pre-Convention ivory EU-wide. The plan is to be presented on World Wildlife Day (3 March). Its purpose is to prevent newly poached ivory from being mixed with ivory purchased before international trade in ivory began to be regulated. This mixing of illegal and legal ivory has contributed to a sharp rise in demand for ivory, fuelling elephant poaching. Germany’s environment minister Barbara Hendricks had already imposed a national export ban in 2014.
Hendricks said: "We welcome the European Commission’s move to follow our initiative. We are actively engaged at all levels to stem the mass slaughter of elephants and rhinos in Africa. What is happening there is a tragedy for wildlife, but also for the people of Africa. It is vital to reduce the demand for ivory on the Asian markets. It hasn’t helped that legal ivory from old stocks has been available on the market in addition to illegal ivory, since it is virtually impossible to tell them apart. The export ban aims to send a signal to all potential buyers in Asia that buying ivory means you’re killing elephants."
The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) prohibits ivory trading. There are, however, exceptions for raw ivory imported before the Convention entered into force. Exporting pre-Convention ivory to Asia has been legal up to now. Germany and five other EU member States already have a ban on these exports and Germany has long campaigned for an EU-wide ban. The Federal Environment Ministry (BMUB) focuses its efforts primarily on reducing demand in Asia, where most of the illegal ivory is destined. For that purpose, BMUB promotes awareness campaigns in China and supports Vietnam’s authorities in enforcing wildlife protection legislation. In Africa, BMUB supports changes to make poaching prevention more effective.
World Wildlife Day marks the adoption of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species on 3 March 1973.