US Toughens Stance on Wildlife Trafficking and Ivory Trade

The US government took steps Tuesday to further battle wildlife crime and illegal poaching by establishing a national strategy for combating wildlife trafficking and enhancing its restrictions on the import and sale of ivory.

With the National Strategy for Combating Wildlife Trafficking, the government calls for stronger enforcement of laws, a reduction in demand for illegally traded wildlife and an increase of international cooperation in battling wildlife crime.

The three-point plan says the US "must redouble our efforts to address wildlife trafficking now if we are to preserve species and promote global peace and economic stability. The actions needed to disrupt and deter wildlife trafficking are clear, as are the consequences of failing to act both quickly and strategically in response to this multidimensional threats. The United States must curtail its own role in the illegal wildlife trade and must lead in addressing this issue on the global stage."

In a statement emailed to reporters, New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson said that the "strategy signals a sea change" in the way people and world governments are viewing the importance of protecting endangered species.

"The president recognizes that truly effective wildlife conservation throughout Africa and the world requires a clear, strategic focus and strong collaboration," Richardson said.

In addition to the wildlife crime-reduction strategy, the US also announced new bans on the commercial trade of elephant ivory within the US. The ban prohibits the commercial import, export or domestic sale of ivory, with a "very limited" number of exceptions, the White House said, adding that the ban is the "best way to help ensure that US markets do not contribute to the further decline of African elephants in the wild."

The status of antique ivory was recast in the new rules, with "antique" meaning that a piece of ivory must be more than 100 years old. The export of some antique ivory, as well as non-commercial ivory products will still be allowed. The import of all ivory products, including antiques will be banned.

Wayne Pacelle, president and CEO of the Humane Society of the United States, praised the US's toughened position on the ivory trade, but said that it did not go far enough.

"It will not stop domestic sales of antique ivory or ivory that can be demonstrated to have been imported prior to the listing of elephants under the US Endangered Species Act," Pacelle said in a blog post.

"We applaud these tangible steps forward in attacking the wildlife trade, while noting that additional fixes are still needed to close the remaining ivory trade loopholes."

"There's much more to be done when it comes to improved legal protection and enforcement effort concerning illegal trafficking in wildlife and wildlife parts," Pacelle continued. "And we'll use the springboard of these new developments to press the case for animals even further."