Washington, D.C. — Born Free USA, a global leader in animal welfare and wildlife conservation, commends the Obama Administration for proposing strong federal regulations to restrict the commerce in ivory products, and also urges the four states and one district with pending ivory legislation to enact these complementary bills prohibiting the intrastate commerce of ivory. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) released a proposed rule on July 25 to prohibit the import, export, and interstate sale of ivory in most circumstances.[teaserbreak]
According to Adam M. Roberts, CEO of Born Free USA and the Born Free Foundation, “The U.S. government has proven that it is willing to implement strong and meaningful policy to match its rhetoric condemning wildlife trafficking. Finalizing these proposed regulations will ensure that the U.S. continues to be a world leader in conservation, and will set a powerful example for other nations to follow. But, we cannot stress enough how important regulation is on the state level, as well. The federal rule is strong, but it is not a complete ban, nor can it be. Commerce within states is still unregulated, because the federal government does not have the power to legislate on intrastate trade. Bans in specific states mean additional disincentive to import ivory for localized sale in America.”
The proposed federal regulations will prohibit most interstate commerce in elephant ivory and further restrict commercial exports. Based on input from a variety of industries, the rule grants specific exceptions to certain pre-existing manufactured items such as musical instruments, furniture, and guns that contain less than 200 grams of ivory. Antiques, which are defined as at least 100 years old, are also exempt. This action, combined with limits that the FWS has already placed on imports, will result in a near total ban on the commercialization of ivory across state and national lines.
“We mustn’t sit back and relax while the slaughter continues,” Roberts said. “The federal government has done its part, and now states must do their part, as well. The FWS regulations are weakened without strong state laws filling the loopholes and bolstering federal enforcement. We cannot give up the fight when the battle to end demand for ivory in the U.S. is half-won.”
Last year, there were stunning successes when New York and New Jersey cracked down on the domestic ivory trade to ensure that their citizens do not contribute to the devastating carnage of Africa’s wildlife. In 2015, more than 20 states across the nation followed suit and filed their own bills. There are still strong bills pending in Massachusetts, California, Michigan, and Washington, D.C., and a campaign in Washington state has also secured a spot on the ballot for an ivory question.(http://www.bornfreeusa.org/ivoryinfographic)
Roberts added, “Both national and state attention is vital to save elephants from the global scourge of poaching for their ivory tusks, because neither level of government can do it alone. Even as we celebrate the announcement of such robust federal regulations cracking down on ivory sales, we must continue to urge our state legislators to carry the fight forward and end the commercialization of blood ivory within our borders, once and for all.”
Born Free USA is a global leader in animal welfare and wildlife conservation. Through litigation, legislation, and public education, Born Free USA leads vital campaigns against animals in entertainment, exotic “pets,” trapping and fur, and the destructive international wildlife trade. Born Free USA brings to America the message of “compassionate conservation”—the vision of the U.K.-based Born Free Foundation, established in 1984 by Bill Travers and Virginia McKenna, stars of the iconic film Born Free, along with their son Will Travers. Born Free’s mission is to end suffering of wild animals in captivity, conserve threatened and endangered species, and encourage compassionate conservation globally. More at www.bornfreeusa.org, www.twitter.com/bornfreeusa, and www.facebook.com/bornfreeusa.
Media Contact: Rodi Rosensweig, 203/270-8929, therodicompany@gmail.com