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SADC reignites fight to sell ivory, but to who?

In the news: Regional states want the rules on ivory trade relaxed PIC: THALEFANG CHARLES
In the news: Regional states want the rules on ivory trade relaxed PIC: THALEFANG CHARLES

Five Southern African countries with the largest populations of elephants recently met in Hwange, Zimbabwe to resuscitate their fight to trade ivory for the first time since 2008. Between then and now, the world has turned against the ivory trade and even in the unlikely event that the responsible global wildlife trade organisation agrees, analysts are asking who the buyers would be. Staff Writer, MBONGENI MGUNI reports

North Korea. This is the only country a leading elephant conservation biologist says would be the sole target market in the world for any ivory Southern Africa states may want to sell.

The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), the international body regulating trade in wildlife, binds its members to agreements that restrict the buying and selling of elephants and their related products.

Editor's Comment
Don't let FMD outbreak drag on

Acting Agriculture Minister, Edwin Dikoloti, is right in saying opening an export-ready facility whilst Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) is still spreading would risk getting the whole country blacklisted before a single carcass leaves the door.A ban like that would break the already stressed nation. So, the postponement, painful as it is, is the right thing to do. The local economy is being squeezed from both ends. FMD has already slammed the door...

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