Domestic Ivory Market Debate
Full Debate: Read Full DebateDepartment: Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
John Spellar
Main Page: John Spellar (Labour - Warley)Department Debates - View all John Spellar's debates with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Domestic Ivory Market
John Spellar Excerpts(7 years, 2 months ago)
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Mr John Spellar (Warley) (Lab)
Given the intensity of the crisis that the hon. Gentleman rightly identifies, are we not in danger, as in so many other areas, of paralysis by process? Should the consultation be brought to a close, and should we now take action?
Luke Hall
I will come to my thoughts on the steps the Government should take later in my remarks.
There are a number of reasons why we should go further. First, the proposal will not cover worked ivory dated before 1947, which makes up the vast majority of the current UK ivory market. Secondly, it is difficult for our law enforcement officers to tell the difference between pre and post-1947 ivory, especially as newer ivory is frequently and deliberately disguised as antique. Thirdly, it is unclear how all ivory could be age tested.