Government Opens Consultation on Extending Elephant Ivory Ban to Non-Elephant Ivory

Whilst deploring the existing elephant ivory poaching trade, the MU has stated that the ban should not be extended to instruments containing non-elephant ivory.

Published: 20 August 2021 | 5:15 PM

Photograph of the inside of a harpsichord instrument. — Extending the ban to other ivories used in instrument manufacture and repair will have a detrimental effect on musicians. Photo credit: Shutterstock

The Government is consulting on whether it should extend the ban on the commercial dealing of elephant ivory in the UK to non-elephant ivory.

The MU has responded by saying that musical instruments containing Mammoth or other non-elephant ivory, without exception or reference to date and amount of Ivory used, should be exempt from any such ban.

We understand and support the arguments around elephant ivory and are pleased that the Government have listened to the concerns of the MU, ABO and MIA in introducing the exemption for Musical Instruments.

However, to extend the ban to other ivories used in instrument manufacture and repair will have a detrimental effect on musicians and no impact on the existing elephant ivory poaching trade, which we entirely deplore.

Members can make their own submissions on Defra’s website until 11 September.

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