IFAW pushes eBay to announce Ivory trade ban

IFAW investigation pushes eBay to announce global ban of all international ivory trade

(The Hague, Netherlands –6 June 2007) – eBay has today announced a ban on the international trade of elephant ivory on all of its sites around the globe, creating the first-ever online international trade ban of elephant ivory.

This decision follows an eight-country international investigation by IFAW (International Fund for Animal Welfare – www.ifaw.org) of ivory for sale on eBay sites, and face-to-face meetings between IFAW and eBay senior officials in the U.S, Australia and across Europe. This announcement comes as more than 170 nations convene in The Hague for the 14th meeting of the Convention on the International Trade of Endangered Species (CITES) to consider a twenty-year elephant ivory trade moratorium.

In its survey carried out in February 2007, IFAW found that 94% of elephant ivory for sale on eBay sites was potentially illegal. The report also found that eBay policies varied from country to country and were often vague and not enforced.

In Australia, IFAW found listings for 197 elephant ivory items over one week, of which only two items (1%) appeared to be compliant with the site’s policy.

In its announcement, eBay stated that in addition to the ban of international trade (trade between nations), that clearer and stricter policies would be implemented on a national level for in-country trade.

“It’s extremely pleasing to see eBay take this important step to protect elephants from illegal ivory trade, and we congratulate them for taking these measures,” said Mick McIntyre, Director of IFAW Asia Pacific.

“IFAW believes a total ban on illegal ivory trade is now necessary, and we will continue to work with eBay to make this happen,” Mr McIntyre said.

ENDS

© Scoop Media