Government plans to extend the Ivory Act 2018

Currently the Ivory Act 2018 only prevents the sale, trade, import or export of ivory from elephants.

Unlike deer that shed their antlers every year, the ivory is the tusks and teeth of an elephant. Poachers kill the elephants to steal the teeth and tusks.

The plan to extend the Ivory Act 2018 to include five other animals that are killed for their Ivory. They are hippopotamus, killer whale, narwhal, and sperm whale and walrus.

The UK’s Ivory Act is one of the toughest bans on elephant ivory sales in the world, with some of the strongest enforcement measures. This would be great news if the ban was extended to include these animals too.

Anyone found guilty of breaching the ban face tough penalties including an unlimited fine or up to five years in jail.

Some items made from ivory are still allowed to be owned. However in order to be able to own these items they have to be registered and have certificates issued.

Some items which contain or are made of ivory which pre-date 1918 or are considered of outstandingly high artistic, cultural or historical value may be given an exemption certificate.

Since 6 June 2022, there has been over 6,500 registrations and certificates issued for exempted items.