I strongly feel that owners of antique ivory should be offered a similar deal, should a blanket ban on all ivory trading (including antique items) come into force.
If the government found that they were going to have to pay compensation, it might focus their minds on keeping the existing 1947 rule intact without the need for further legislation.
Walking around the Victoria and Albert Museum’s splendid collection of ivory antiques recently only reinforced my view of what a disaster it would be for the trade, collectors and the public alike should the ban on trading materialise.
Christopher Seidler
