A LOCAL MP has backed a campaign to end the illegal wildlife trade by attending a Houses of Parliament reception to celebrate China’s ivory ban which came in to force this month.
The situation for elephants is critical, with about 55 a day being killed for their ivory. This means more African elephants are being poached for their ivory than are being born.
Angela Smith MP, who represents Penistone and Stocksbridge, attended a special reception jointly hosted by the World Wildlife Fund and the Chinese Embassy. It highlighted that, if successful, the Chinese closure of its ivory markets will reduce opportunities to buy and sell illegal ivory, and help to reduce demand.
It was also said how important it is for other, neighbouring countries to follow suit with similar laws to ensure the sickening trade does not shift to places with weaker regulation.
Angela said: “As someone who has been campaigning for a total ban on the ivory I was delighted to be able to attend the WWF and Chinese Embassy’s reception and show my support for ending the ivory trade in China.
“We now need to keep pushing our own government to fulfil its own promise and introduce a ban in the UK on the trading of ivory.
“I know people in Barnsley care deeply about this issue, and tens of thousands of people responded to the UK government’s recent consultation on banning the ivory trade. We now need to get on and do it 2018 should be the year when we turn the tide on the poaching of elephants and other precious wildlife.”
The Chinese move comes as a proposal to also ban ivory trade in the UK has been announced by government.
