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Home » China Bans Ivory Hunting Trophy Imports for One Year

China Bans Ivory Hunting Trophy Imports for One Year

BEIJING – China has said it is banning the import of ivory obtained through hunting for the next year, according to a statement on Thursday by its forestry agency. The statement comes only days after the Chinese authorities announced the forestry police had seized almost $4 million in trafficked ivory and arrested 16 people, and other news that […]

By SAPeople Staff Writer
15-10-15 14:32
in News
ivory

BEIJING – China has said it is banning the import of ivory obtained through hunting for the next year, according to a statement on Thursday by its forestry agency.

The statement comes only days after the Chinese authorities announced the forestry police had seized almost $4 million in trafficked ivory and arrested 16 people, and other news that has brought the illicit trade of ivory in China into the spotlight.

According to a report from a Chinese news agency on Thursday, an unnamed official with the State Forestry Administration said the latest move underscored the stance of the Chinese government towards wildlife protection and was a concrete step forward in those efforts.

During a visit to the United States in September by Chinese President Xi Jinping, the two countries – the largest markets for illegal ivory – announced nearly complete bans on the importing and exporting of ivory.

Also, in Tanzania last week a major Chinese player in ivory trafficking in East Africa was arrested and stands to go to jail for up to 30 years for allegedly smuggling 1.9 tons of ivory between 2000 and 2014.