Good news at the end of a turbulent year 2016:
The China State Council has announced a ban on all ivory trade and processing activities by the end of 2017.
- It is a “game-changer” for the future of elephants as China is the biggest ivory market in the world. Estimated 70 percent of the world’s trade.
- Ivory can reach $1,100 per kilogram in China.
- This wise decision follows a resolution at the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (Cites) in South Africa in October 2016.
- The populations of elephants across Africa shrinked by a third, according to the recently published Great Elephant Census.
- The commercial processing and sale of ivory will stop by 31 March. All registered traders will then be phased out, bringing a full halt to the market by the end of the year.
Thank you China!