The illegal ivory trade threatening Africa's elephants.pg2
Continued,....
...No direct link has yet been found between the legal sales and increased killings or trade. But campaigners fear the existence of a legal trade is helping to provide cover for a much more extensive black market.
The decision to allow further legal ivory into the country in 2008 made the situation worse, according to Grace Ge Gabriel, from the International Fund for Animal Welfare.
"We have found that every one legal activity comes with nearly six illegal trading activities. So this domestic market provides opportunity for people to launder illegally obtained ivory," she said.
In a statement, the Chinese government said it had a "consistent and firm position to fight against the illegal trade of ivory". It said possible individual breaches should not be used to deny "the efforts and progress China has made".
Ivory has been prized in China for centuries
The debate over the legal ivory trade is set to be reignited later this year when more African countries are expected to put in requests to sell stockpiled ivory.
Supporters say countries that properly protect their elephants should be allowed to profit from them. "It's vital that local people and the countries where elephants are present in large numbers get a benefit, economic benefit from the use of ivory," said Robin Sharp, of the European Sustainable Use Specialist Group
But opponents argue further sales will fuel demand and fear that China's booming economy means there will be an ever-growing market. "What is at the heart of the illegal killing of elephants in Africa? Money," concludes Dr Bradley Martin.
Securing the future of Africa's elephant will mean not just beating the poachers but also tackling black-market sales on the other side of the world in China.
...No direct link has yet been found between the legal sales and increased killings or trade. But campaigners fear the existence of a legal trade is helping to provide cover for a much more extensive black market.
The decision to allow further legal ivory into the country in 2008 made the situation worse, according to Grace Ge Gabriel, from the International Fund for Animal Welfare.
"We have found that every one legal activity comes with nearly six illegal trading activities. So this domestic market provides opportunity for people to launder illegally obtained ivory," she said.
In a statement, the Chinese government said it had a "consistent and firm position to fight against the illegal trade of ivory". It said possible individual breaches should not be used to deny "the efforts and progress China has made".
Ivory has been prized in China for centuries
The debate over the legal ivory trade is set to be reignited later this year when more African countries are expected to put in requests to sell stockpiled ivory.
Supporters say countries that properly protect their elephants should be allowed to profit from them. "It's vital that local people and the countries where elephants are present in large numbers get a benefit, economic benefit from the use of ivory," said Robin Sharp, of the European Sustainable Use Specialist Group
But opponents argue further sales will fuel demand and fear that China's booming economy means there will be an ever-growing market. "What is at the heart of the illegal killing of elephants in Africa? Money," concludes Dr Bradley Martin.
Securing the future of Africa's elephant will mean not just beating the poachers but also tackling black-market sales on the other side of the world in China.
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