Nus Ghani, MP for Wealden, has welcomed the news that a ban on ivory sales in the UK will be introduced to help protect elephants around the world.
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs held a consultation on a proposed ivory sales ban last year, and following that consultation, the Government has confirmed that it will be implementing the ban.
The ban will cover ivory items of all ages – not only those produced after a certain date. The maximum available penalty for breaching the ban will be an unlimited fine or up to five years in jail.
There were more than 70,000 responses to the consultation, with over 88 percent of responses in favour of the ban.
Nus Ghani, MP for Wealden, said: “People from across Wealden, from Hailsham to Forest Row, regularly contact me with their concerns about the ivory trade’s detrimental effects on elephants.
“The number of elephants has declined by almost a third in the last decade, with around 20,000 a year still being slaughtered to service the ivory trade.
“I am pleased to have made representations on behalf of Wealden and join other MPs in making this a successful campaign. The Conservative Government has reaffirmed its commitment to global leadership on tackling the ivory trade, ensuring ivory trading becomes a thing of the past.”