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AVA seeks public feedback on proposed blanket elephant ivory ban

A blanket ban would mean that local businesses and individuals will no longer be able to buy or sell all forms of elephant ivory products in Singapore.
Elephant ivory being displayed during a destruction ceremony of confiscated elephant ivory and wildlife parts in Myanmar on 4 October, 2018. (PHOTO: Associated Press)

The Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) is seeking public feedback on a proposed blanket ban on the sale of elephant ivory and ivory products in Singapore.

The public consultation was launched on Tuesday (27 November) and will last a month, said the AVA.

While Singapore has banned international trade on all forms of elephant ivory products since 1990, under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, domestic trade is permitted if traders can prove that the items were imported before 1990.

Since it is difficult to distinguish an old ivory from a recently-acquired one, it is possible for traders to exploit this loophole and continue to sell the banned items.

This loophole was the basis of a controversial marketing stunt in August by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Singapore, when it promoted a fake online shop purportedly selling “the purest form of ivory”. After causing a stir online, the organisation unveiled its stunt, adding that there were more than 40 shops still selling ivory in Singapore.

AVA studying full ban since March 2017

The AVA has been studying the details of a full ivory ban since March last year, amid increasing calls for countries to ban their domestic ivory trade as well. Countries such as China, the US and Britain have taken action or announced plans to ban/restrict such domestic trade.

A blanket ban would mean that local businesses and individuals will no longer be able to buy or sell all forms of elephant ivory products in Singapore. Public display of elephant ivory and ivory products will also not be allowed, with the exception of display for educational purposes, such as in museums or the zoo.

A grace period of up to three years will be provided to the affected stakeholders to decide what they wish to do with their existing stocks of elephant ivory and ivory products. Local businesses and individuals who own ivory can consider keeping, donating or destroying the ivory.

Where to send feedback

The AVA invites views and comments on the proposed ban. Please submit your feedback by 27 December, 12pm, via:

  • E-mail to AVA_CITES@ava.gov.sg

  • Mail to: Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority (Headquarters), JEM Office Tower, 52 Jurong Gateway Road, #14-01, Singapore 608550 (Attn: QIG/Wildlife – Public Consultation)

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