Enjoy unlimited access: just £1 for 12 weeks

Subscribe now

Britain’s antique dealing associations are hoping to force a compromise, pointing out that the permit required for the export of an ivory chesspiece to America is the same document required should a big cat be brought to Europe as part of an international breeding programme.

DEFRA officials told ATG last week that the proposed starting date of October 1 would not be met for introducing new charges, which means that the earliest that it could come into effect is April 6.