China bans all ivory imports for one year to protect elephants

China has imposed a one-year ban on ivory imports that took immediate effect Thursday amid criticism that its citizens’ huge appetite for ivory has fueled poaching that threatens the existence of African elephants. The State Administration of Forestry declared the ban in a public notice posted on its official site, in which it said the administration would not handle any import request. In an explanatory news report, an unnamed forestry official told the state-run Legal Evening News that authorities hope the ban would be a concrete step to reduce the demand for African tusks and to protect wild elephants.

It is unfortunate that (Chinese authorities have) not announced a much-needed policy change by banning all domestic trade in ivory - this is the policy change that could actually make a difference for elephants in Africa.

Shruti Suresh, wildlife campaigner for the Environmental Investigation Agency

China is the world’s largest importer of smuggled tusks, although Beijing has campaigned against illegal ivory. Six tons of illegal ivory was pulverized last year in the southern city of Dongguan, and Chinese courts have stepped up prosecution of illegal ivory trade. The government also has warned its citizens not to bring back any ivory, but critics say the public awareness campaign is inadequate as many Chinese do not know that tusks can only obtained by killing the elephant. Wildlife protection advocates welcomed the step but said it falls short of addressing a root issue in China — its large stockpile of legal ivory that provides for a legitimate domestic market.

This domestic ivory market confuses consumers, removes stigma about ivory consumption, provides cover for criminals to smuggle ivory, hinders law enforcement and stimulates poaching of elephants.

Grace Ge Gabriel, Asia regional director for the International Fund for Animal Welfare

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