March 2014: The Belgian government has announced that that they will destroy
their entire stockpile of illegal ivory on 9 April.
The ceremony will take place in the presence of dignitaries from elephant range states
and in collaboration with the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW).
“The Belgian government should be saluted for taking a firm and public stand on ivory trafficking
and working to save the world’s threatened elephants. Not only are we losing an elephant every 15 minutes
but the ivory trade is undercutting law and order in elephant range states and enriching organised crime syndicates –
the slaughter of elephants must be stopped,” said Sonja Van Tichelen, IFAW’s European Regional Director.
Belgium is the latest country to destroy its stocks, following in the footsteps of France, the United States and China.
Seizures of illegal ivory in the world continue to increase: 24.3 tonnes in 2011,
30 tonnes in 2012 and 41.5 tonnes in 2013.
Way to go Belgium.
