Fuller, who attended a meeting last week with LAPADA and BADA on the ivory issue, told ATG: “The protectionists will have the ear of government. We should be speaking to government ahead of the consultation and not wait until next year. A draconian ban is cultural vandalism.”
Defra has promised it will work with the trade on any rule changes. However, it is expected to demand that, in future, dealers need to prove the age of any antique ivory.
Natural history expert Errol Fuller.
Fuller, an expert in extinct species and a vetter at major fairs, said he plans to take his concerns further with BADA president Victoria Borwick MP.
He told ATG the industry could propose a licence for pre-1947 worked ivory objects that could be issued by BADA and LAPADA members.
He added: “What shouldn’t be lost sight of is how do any of these rules on antique ivory help keep elephants alive today? The real problem is in Africa and the Far East, not in Europe.”
LAPADA and BADA met to discuss proposals to take to government for the consultation on the ivory trade next year. The two associations are working closely together on the subject.
Rebecca Davies, chief executive of LAPADA, said: “It is incredibly important that with issues such as these we are speaking with a united voice which is why LAPADA and BADA are working closely on discussions going forward.”
The CITES summit in South Africa this month did not agree any changes to the current rules surrounding ivory.
