Southern Africa: China cleared for ivory purchase

Namibia is happy that the UN body charged with monitoring trade in endangered species has approved China's plea to buy more than 100 tons of elephant ivory from four Southern African countries, the Director of Scientific Services in the Ministry of Environment told The Namibian yesterday.

18 Jul 2008

Dr Fanuel Demas said because there are now two countries - Japan and China - to which Namibia, South Africa, Botswana and Zimbabwe can auction their ivory, this will give the four countries options to go for the price of their choice.

Demas said China was approved on Tuesday to trade in ivory but under strict conditions.

Read the full article here.