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UK to grant China ivory trade license

  2. rwylie
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Britain is today expected to approve China's application to be made a licensed ivory trader.

This move comes amidst a wave of protests from animal wellfare groups, as well as almost 150 MPs, with Prime minister Gordon Brown set to receive the blame.

Suspicions have been aroused partly because of the minister who is responsible for the UK's vote. Joan Ruddock has "a strong record on environmental protection", and Labour backbenchers believe that she was "given orders by number 10 not to risk upsetting China" by opposing the bid.

Critics argue that granting China this license will lead to a "substantial increase in elephant poaching across Africa and Asia", and one MP has branded the move "obscene", calling it "a license to kill", not to trade.
rwylie

2 responses // UK to grant China ivory trade license

  • It would be an absolute tragedy if we were to return to the days when ivory trade was legal. It is the most unnecessary and horrifying industry and I really hope the UK opposes the bid.
    JanaPokana
  • When this article came out I was truly appalled and started a Facebook group to get together as many people as possible to petition DEFRA, the UK body responsible for setting the UK's policy on the ivory trade.

    For more information about the response we got, and what happens next, please join our Facebook Group 'STOP THE UN FROM LEGALISING THE IVORY TRADE'.
    benjiwhites

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