1. The individual owner of an item that is wholly/partly made from ivory can either destroy it, if the thought of the current and past trade in raw ivory abhors them, but this would deprive others of enjoying the beauty of the item.
Should they not want the object any more, why not part with it via a dealer or auctioneer, or donate it to a museum, rather than destroy it? Those items that are deemed post-1947 should be given to a museum also.
2. I do not believe that CITES and other authorities want to see headlines about strong-arm tactics used to enforce the law and remove articles believed to have been produced from ivory post-1947.
These reports give the public and trade the impression that there is no form of appeal.
The only pity is that different countries are applying different laws, where one country will not accept even the smallest piece of ivory to be sold, and others who will accept a CITES certificate allowing the article to be imported.
Ken Lewis
Via email
