EIA Applauds Finalization of Near-Total Ban on U.S. Trade in Elephant Ivory

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) completed a rulemaking process under the Endangered Species Act that will enact a near-total ban on the domestic trade of elephant ivory in the United States. The rule, which goes into effect on July 6th, is the final result of more than three years of careful consultation by FWS with stakeholders and more than 1.3 million comments from the American public. The rule is a powerful sign of President Obama’s commitment to combat wildlife trafficking.

In response, Allan Thornton, president of the Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA), issued the following statement:

“At a time when as many as 50,000 African elephants are being poached for their tusks each year, EIA applauds the United States for taking a stand against blood ivory,” said Thornton. “If we wish for our children to see elephants in the wild then there is no place for ivory markets, anywhere.”

“EIA calls on all nations with domestic ivory markets, such as China and Japan, to quickly follow the lead of the United States and enact similar bans,” said Thornton.

Contact:
Maggie Dewane, Communications and Press Officer, EIA, 202-483-6621, mdewane@eia-global.org