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Thanks Laurence, you are in once for your answer and once for the results of contact with your reps.
What you need to know if you use ivory for knives, or buy, sell knives with ivory
- Thread starter Mark Knapp
- Start date
- Status
Thanks Laurence, you are in once for your answer and once for the results of contact with your reps.
- Joined
- Dec 20, 2009
- Messages
- 4,421
Congratulations, tattooedfreak is the winner of the free ivory in this weeks drawing. If you did not win, stay tuned for next weeks drawing. In the mean time let me know what results you got from your representatives and you will be entered.
- Joined
- Dec 20, 2009
- Messages
- 4,421
Ivory Ban Bills Across the US
Theres a lot going on and many opportunities for you to get involved at both state and federal levels to fight ivory bans.
Federal Regulation and Legislation
African Elephant Conservation and Legal Ivory Possession Act Re-Introduced in Congress - Alaskan Congressman Don Young has introduced bipartisan legislation with Congressman Collin Peterson (D-MN) to roll-back and further halt onerous constraints on lawfully possessed ivory products, including musical instruments, firearms, knives, and museum pieces that include ivory parts. The African Elephant Conservation and Legal Ivory Possession Act of 2015, HR 697, would effectively end the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's draconian and unilateral moratorium on the sale and trade of lawfully possessed ivory, while also making significant efforts to assist anti-poaching efforts in countries with elephant populations.
The bill would specifically allow:
● Lawfully possessed, raw or worked ivory to be imported or exported for museum displays and personal use;
● The Secretary of the Interior, in coordination with the Secretary of State, to place a U.S. Fish and Wildlife law enforcement officer in each African country with significant elephant populations;
● The Secretary of the Interior to certify any country found to be a significant transit or destination point under the Pelly Amendment to the Fishermen's Protective Act. This would allow the US to embargo wildlife products from Asian countries that are fueling African elephant poaching;
● The continued importation of sport-hunted elephant trophies from populations listed on Appendix II of the Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species;
● For the reauthorization of appropriations of not more than $5 million for each of the years 2016-2020, and for these funds to be prioritized for projects designed to facilitate the acquisition of equipment and training of wildlife officials in ivory producing countries for anti-poaching efforts.
Write your member of Congress to get them to co-sponsor this legislation!
Activity at USFWS
We continue to monitor the Fish and Wildlife Service for promulgation of the regulation that we expect will restrict or eliminate the Endangered Species Acts Special Rule for African Elephants and criminalize domestic trade of elephant ivory. The regulation appears to be under review by different agencies in the administration. Depending on that review, we believe it is possible this regulation will be published for comment in the next 6 weeks or so.
Activity in the States
Connecticut there are four separate ivory ban bills pending at the same time in Connecticut. Thank you for everyone who said they would be willing to testify against these bills. We do not yet know when a hearing will be scheduled. Connecticuts legislative process does not require them to publish the specifics of a bill before a hearing, so we need to assume one or more of these bills will be a complete ban on all ivory including mammoths similar to what was passed in New Jersey. When the time comes, the people who said they would testify will be contacted directly.
Hawaii Two bills, one in the House and one in the Senate, are pending. You can comment on these bills and supply testimony opposing these bills by clicking here. Please note: a hearing is scheduled on the Senate bill for February 17, so comments for this bill would be especially timely.
Maryland HB713 is scheduled for hearing on March 4 at 1:00pm. This legislation is ambiguous about whether it applies to mammoth ivory, contains no commercial use exemptions for musical instruments, antiques or other items, criminalizes possession with intent to sell, and makes ivory sales a felony for second offenses if value exceeds $250.00.
Washington Bills are pending before both the House (HB1131) and Senate (SB5241). Constituents successfully gained exemptions in the House bill that eliminated mammoth from the definition of ivory, created some exemptions and reduced some of the penalties from the original bill. It remains to be seen how the Senate will react, whether the amendments from the House will make it into final legislation, and even if they do, how this ban would be enforced.
Iowa SF 30 is pending that would ban ivory from mammoths along with elephant ivory. This bill was recently reassigned to a subcommittee on Natural Resources and Environment.
Oklahoma HB1787 Would ban sales and possession with intent to sell of all ivory species including mammoth. Permit scheme similar to New York with very limited exemptions for antiques (less than 20% ivory) and musical instruments.
California AB96 Modifies existing California law to ban sale and possession with intent to sell of all species of ivory, including mammoth ivory. Exemptions for musical instruments with less than 20% ivory and made before 1975, and antiques less than 5% ivory by volume at least 100 years old. Jail time, fines up to $50,000, and administrative penalties up to $10,000 are potential penalties.
As always, you can find your legislators and different ways to contact people about any of the above bills through our website, www.ElephantProtection.org.
Theres a lot going on and many opportunities for you to get involved at both state and federal levels to fight ivory bans.
Federal Regulation and Legislation
African Elephant Conservation and Legal Ivory Possession Act Re-Introduced in Congress - Alaskan Congressman Don Young has introduced bipartisan legislation with Congressman Collin Peterson (D-MN) to roll-back and further halt onerous constraints on lawfully possessed ivory products, including musical instruments, firearms, knives, and museum pieces that include ivory parts. The African Elephant Conservation and Legal Ivory Possession Act of 2015, HR 697, would effectively end the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's draconian and unilateral moratorium on the sale and trade of lawfully possessed ivory, while also making significant efforts to assist anti-poaching efforts in countries with elephant populations.
The bill would specifically allow:
● Lawfully possessed, raw or worked ivory to be imported or exported for museum displays and personal use;
● The Secretary of the Interior, in coordination with the Secretary of State, to place a U.S. Fish and Wildlife law enforcement officer in each African country with significant elephant populations;
● The Secretary of the Interior to certify any country found to be a significant transit or destination point under the Pelly Amendment to the Fishermen's Protective Act. This would allow the US to embargo wildlife products from Asian countries that are fueling African elephant poaching;
● The continued importation of sport-hunted elephant trophies from populations listed on Appendix II of the Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species;
● For the reauthorization of appropriations of not more than $5 million for each of the years 2016-2020, and for these funds to be prioritized for projects designed to facilitate the acquisition of equipment and training of wildlife officials in ivory producing countries for anti-poaching efforts.
Write your member of Congress to get them to co-sponsor this legislation!
Activity at USFWS
We continue to monitor the Fish and Wildlife Service for promulgation of the regulation that we expect will restrict or eliminate the Endangered Species Acts Special Rule for African Elephants and criminalize domestic trade of elephant ivory. The regulation appears to be under review by different agencies in the administration. Depending on that review, we believe it is possible this regulation will be published for comment in the next 6 weeks or so.
Activity in the States
Connecticut there are four separate ivory ban bills pending at the same time in Connecticut. Thank you for everyone who said they would be willing to testify against these bills. We do not yet know when a hearing will be scheduled. Connecticuts legislative process does not require them to publish the specifics of a bill before a hearing, so we need to assume one or more of these bills will be a complete ban on all ivory including mammoths similar to what was passed in New Jersey. When the time comes, the people who said they would testify will be contacted directly.
Hawaii Two bills, one in the House and one in the Senate, are pending. You can comment on these bills and supply testimony opposing these bills by clicking here. Please note: a hearing is scheduled on the Senate bill for February 17, so comments for this bill would be especially timely.
Maryland HB713 is scheduled for hearing on March 4 at 1:00pm. This legislation is ambiguous about whether it applies to mammoth ivory, contains no commercial use exemptions for musical instruments, antiques or other items, criminalizes possession with intent to sell, and makes ivory sales a felony for second offenses if value exceeds $250.00.
Washington Bills are pending before both the House (HB1131) and Senate (SB5241). Constituents successfully gained exemptions in the House bill that eliminated mammoth from the definition of ivory, created some exemptions and reduced some of the penalties from the original bill. It remains to be seen how the Senate will react, whether the amendments from the House will make it into final legislation, and even if they do, how this ban would be enforced.
Iowa SF 30 is pending that would ban ivory from mammoths along with elephant ivory. This bill was recently reassigned to a subcommittee on Natural Resources and Environment.
Oklahoma HB1787 Would ban sales and possession with intent to sell of all ivory species including mammoth. Permit scheme similar to New York with very limited exemptions for antiques (less than 20% ivory) and musical instruments.
California AB96 Modifies existing California law to ban sale and possession with intent to sell of all species of ivory, including mammoth ivory. Exemptions for musical instruments with less than 20% ivory and made before 1975, and antiques less than 5% ivory by volume at least 100 years old. Jail time, fines up to $50,000, and administrative penalties up to $10,000 are potential penalties.
As always, you can find your legislators and different ways to contact people about any of the above bills through our website, www.ElephantProtection.org.
Last edited:
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- Oct 28, 2013
- Messages
- 577
Just emailed my senators today, I will send you their responses.
- Joined
- Dec 20, 2009
- Messages
- 4,421
Great, let me know.
- Joined
- Dec 20, 2009
- Messages
- 4,421
Win this ivory.
The question for this weeks Free Ivory Friday is; There is a bill introduced into congress that reverses the Presidents executive action that bans the trade in legal elephant ivory. What is the name of that bill?
You can enter in two ways, answer this question or let me know what results you got when you contacted your legislators to tell them how you feel about ivory bans. You can have your name in twice if you do both.
Last edited:
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- Messages
- 32,479
Mark,
Its Sunday and I'm running a tad slow. lol Is this where you want the answer to this weeks question for the drawing?
"The African Elephant Conservation and Legal Ivory Possession Act of 2015, HR 697," I had to look far and wide for the answer!
Its Sunday and I'm running a tad slow. lol Is this where you want the answer to this weeks question for the drawing?
"The African Elephant Conservation and Legal Ivory Possession Act of 2015, HR 697," I had to look far and wide for the answer!
- Joined
- Dec 20, 2009
- Messages
- 4,421
Mark,
Its Sunday and I'm running a tad slow. lol Is this where you want the answer to this weeks question for the drawing?
"The African Elephant Conservation and Legal Ivory Possession Act of 2015, HR 697," I had to look far and wide for the answer!
I am allowing answers in the threads this week because I forgot to remind people to send them to me via email or PM and it got away from me. In future weeks I will ask for PMs and emails. You are in.
- Joined
- Dec 20, 2009
- Messages
- 4,421
Congratulations to Viral, He is the winner of this weeks Free Ivory Fridays. He won by sending me the results of his correspondence to his legislators. Viral, send me your shipping info.
tattooedfreak
Steel mutilater is more like it.
- Joined
- Mar 12, 2010
- Messages
- 1,005
I contacted the Canada Wildlife service for ivory in Canada and received a very informative email. Some information I knew but this clarifies it for those using, buying or selling ivory in Canada. I had specifically asked about elephant ivory, walrus ivory, oosik and mammoth/mastodon ivory.
Asian Elephant
To import in Canada:
Specimens to be imported into Canada must be accompanied by a Canadian CITES import permit; a CITES export permit issued by the exporting country.
To export from Canada:
Specimens to be exported from Canada must be accompanied by a Canadian CITES export permit that will be issued once the relevant CITES import permit issued by the Management Authority of the importing country is received.
African Elephant
To import in Canada:
Specimens to be imported into Canada must be accompanied by a Canadian CITES import permit; a CITES export permit issued by the exporting country.
To export from Canada:
Specimens to be exported from Canada must be accompanied by a Canadian CITES export permit that will be issued once the relevant CITES import permit issued by the Management Authority of the importing country is received.
Note II
Only the populations of Botswana, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe; all other populations are included in Appendix I of the Convention.
Populations of Botswana, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe(listed in Appendix II to the Convention): For the exclusive purpose of allowing: (a) trade in hunting trophies for non-commercial purposes; (b) trade in live animals to appropriate and acceptable destinations, as defined in Resolution Conf. 11.20, for Botswana and Zimbabwe and for in situ conservation programmes for Namibia and South Africa; (c) trade in hides; (d) trade in hair; (e) trade in leather goods for commercial or non-commercial purposes for Botswana, Namibia and South Africa and for noncommercial purposes for Zimbabwe; (f) trade in individually marked and certified ekipas incorporated in finished jewellery for non-commercial purposes for Namibia and ivory carvings for non-commercial purposes for Zimbabwe; (g) trade in registered raw ivory (for Botswana, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe, whole tusks and pieces) subject to the following: (i) only registered government-owned stocks, originating in all of those States (excluding seized ivory and ivory of unknown origin), (ii) only to trading partners that have been verified by the Secretariat, in consultation with the Standing Committee, to have sufficient national legislation and domestic trade controls to ensure that the imported ivory will not be re-exported and will be managed in accordance with all requirements of Resolution Conf. 10.10 (Rev. CoP14) concerning domestic manufacturing and trade, (iii) not before the Secretariat has verified the prospective importing countries and the registered government-owned stocks, (iv) raw ivory pursuant to the conditional sale of registered government-owned ivory stocks agreed at CoP12, which are 20,000 kg (Botswana), 10,000 kg (Namibia) and 30,000 kg (South Africa), (v) in addition to the quantities agreed at CoP12, government-owned ivory from Botswana, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe registered by 31 January 2007 and verified by the Secretariat may be traded and despatched, with the ivory in subparagraph (iv) above, in a single sale per destination under strict supervision of the Secretariat, (vi) the proceeds of the trade are used exclusively for elephant conservation and community conservation and development programmes within or adjacent to the elephant range, and (vii) the additional quantities specified in subparagraph (v) above shall be traded only after the Standing Committee has agreed that the above conditions have been met; and (h) no further proposals to allow trade in elephant ivory from populations already in Appendix II shall be submitted to the Conference of the Parties for the period from CoP14 and ending nine years from the date of the single sale of ivory that is to take place in accordance with provisions in subparagraphs (g)(i) to (iii), (vi) and (vii). In addition such further proposals shall be dealt with in accordance with Decisions 14.77 and 14.78 (Rev. CoP15). On a proposal from the Secretariat, the Standing Committee can decide to cause this trade to cease partially or completely in the event of noncompliance by exporting or importing countries, or in the case of proven detrimental impacts of the trade on other elephant populations. All other specimens shall be deemed to be specimens of species included in Appendix I and the trade in them shall be regulated accordingly.
When the ivory or other specimens of protected species are already in Canada, the restrictions/controls of CITES do not apply. As you indicated, we get involved on the export/import. We do however expect that the specimens were brought legally into the country. Here is some of the language from our regulations:
(a) the person who possesses it establishes a reasonable probability that it or, in the case of a part or derivative, the animal or plant from which it comes, was taken from its habitat before July 3, 1975;
(b) the person who possesses it establishes a reasonable probability that it was legally imported into Canada; or
(c) the person who possesses it establishes a reasonable probability that the distributing of it or the offering to distribute it would be in accordance with any applicable federal and provincial laws that relate to the conservation and protection of the animal or plant.
Typically ivory which was used in instruments is quite old, since it is no longer customary to use fresh ivory for instrument making. Often the age of the instrument is a good indication of the age of the ivory. Antique ivory items such as carvings, teapots with ivory handles, chess sets, cabinets with ivory inlays, etc will have some ways of detecting the overall age of the ivory (based on the age/style of the piece).
Walrus ivory would be the only other type of ivory which would fall under CITES protection. In the case of walrus ivory, there is only a CITES document required on export from the country. Walrus is not nearly as protected as elephant, so the scrutiny is not as intense.
Hope this clears some things up.
Sean
Asian Elephant
To import in Canada:
Specimens to be imported into Canada must be accompanied by a Canadian CITES import permit; a CITES export permit issued by the exporting country.
To export from Canada:
Specimens to be exported from Canada must be accompanied by a Canadian CITES export permit that will be issued once the relevant CITES import permit issued by the Management Authority of the importing country is received.
African Elephant
To import in Canada:
Specimens to be imported into Canada must be accompanied by a Canadian CITES import permit; a CITES export permit issued by the exporting country.
To export from Canada:
Specimens to be exported from Canada must be accompanied by a Canadian CITES export permit that will be issued once the relevant CITES import permit issued by the Management Authority of the importing country is received.
Note II
Only the populations of Botswana, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe; all other populations are included in Appendix I of the Convention.
Populations of Botswana, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe(listed in Appendix II to the Convention): For the exclusive purpose of allowing: (a) trade in hunting trophies for non-commercial purposes; (b) trade in live animals to appropriate and acceptable destinations, as defined in Resolution Conf. 11.20, for Botswana and Zimbabwe and for in situ conservation programmes for Namibia and South Africa; (c) trade in hides; (d) trade in hair; (e) trade in leather goods for commercial or non-commercial purposes for Botswana, Namibia and South Africa and for noncommercial purposes for Zimbabwe; (f) trade in individually marked and certified ekipas incorporated in finished jewellery for non-commercial purposes for Namibia and ivory carvings for non-commercial purposes for Zimbabwe; (g) trade in registered raw ivory (for Botswana, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe, whole tusks and pieces) subject to the following: (i) only registered government-owned stocks, originating in all of those States (excluding seized ivory and ivory of unknown origin), (ii) only to trading partners that have been verified by the Secretariat, in consultation with the Standing Committee, to have sufficient national legislation and domestic trade controls to ensure that the imported ivory will not be re-exported and will be managed in accordance with all requirements of Resolution Conf. 10.10 (Rev. CoP14) concerning domestic manufacturing and trade, (iii) not before the Secretariat has verified the prospective importing countries and the registered government-owned stocks, (iv) raw ivory pursuant to the conditional sale of registered government-owned ivory stocks agreed at CoP12, which are 20,000 kg (Botswana), 10,000 kg (Namibia) and 30,000 kg (South Africa), (v) in addition to the quantities agreed at CoP12, government-owned ivory from Botswana, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe registered by 31 January 2007 and verified by the Secretariat may be traded and despatched, with the ivory in subparagraph (iv) above, in a single sale per destination under strict supervision of the Secretariat, (vi) the proceeds of the trade are used exclusively for elephant conservation and community conservation and development programmes within or adjacent to the elephant range, and (vii) the additional quantities specified in subparagraph (v) above shall be traded only after the Standing Committee has agreed that the above conditions have been met; and (h) no further proposals to allow trade in elephant ivory from populations already in Appendix II shall be submitted to the Conference of the Parties for the period from CoP14 and ending nine years from the date of the single sale of ivory that is to take place in accordance with provisions in subparagraphs (g)(i) to (iii), (vi) and (vii). In addition such further proposals shall be dealt with in accordance with Decisions 14.77 and 14.78 (Rev. CoP15). On a proposal from the Secretariat, the Standing Committee can decide to cause this trade to cease partially or completely in the event of noncompliance by exporting or importing countries, or in the case of proven detrimental impacts of the trade on other elephant populations. All other specimens shall be deemed to be specimens of species included in Appendix I and the trade in them shall be regulated accordingly.
When the ivory or other specimens of protected species are already in Canada, the restrictions/controls of CITES do not apply. As you indicated, we get involved on the export/import. We do however expect that the specimens were brought legally into the country. Here is some of the language from our regulations:
(a) the person who possesses it establishes a reasonable probability that it or, in the case of a part or derivative, the animal or plant from which it comes, was taken from its habitat before July 3, 1975;
(b) the person who possesses it establishes a reasonable probability that it was legally imported into Canada; or
(c) the person who possesses it establishes a reasonable probability that the distributing of it or the offering to distribute it would be in accordance with any applicable federal and provincial laws that relate to the conservation and protection of the animal or plant.
Typically ivory which was used in instruments is quite old, since it is no longer customary to use fresh ivory for instrument making. Often the age of the instrument is a good indication of the age of the ivory. Antique ivory items such as carvings, teapots with ivory handles, chess sets, cabinets with ivory inlays, etc will have some ways of detecting the overall age of the ivory (based on the age/style of the piece).
Walrus ivory would be the only other type of ivory which would fall under CITES protection. In the case of walrus ivory, there is only a CITES document required on export from the country. Walrus is not nearly as protected as elephant, so the scrutiny is not as intense.
Hope this clears some things up.
Sean
- Joined
- Dec 20, 2009
- Messages
- 4,421
More Ivory Ban Bills Across the US
Theres a lot going on and many opportunities for you to get involved at both state and federal levels to fight ivory bans.
New Activity in the States
Florida - SB1120 has been introduced to ban any species of elephant and mammoth and prohibiting the manufacture, sale, purchase, and distribution of ivory articles. In addition there would be an allowance for possible licensing for less than 20% ivory antiques, passing on to your heirs, museums, and musical instruments made before 1979.
Illinois - SB1858 will make it illegal to sell any ivory or ivory containing product. This bill makes no allowances or exemptions for mammoth ivory, musical instruments, or antiques. The only possible exemption will be for bona fide educational or scientific purposes. No hearing scheduled at this time.
Vermont - H297 - Other than the bill number, we don't know much about it. It is safe to assume this ban is like all of the other ones that the Humane Society of the US is pushing around the country.
New York has an amendment pending to their already- in- effect ivory ban. SB 2887 would prohibit the purchase and sale of ivory articles and rhinoceros horns, with limited exceptions, and increase the criminal and civil penalties for the illegal sale of these articles.
Hawaii - Two bills, one in the House and one in the Senate are pending. We have gotten word that these bills have been postponed for further consideration (Thank you to everyone who wrote and called in!) though scheduling could change at any time.
Still Pending in the following states, please keep writing and calling-
Connecticut there are four separate ivory ban bills pending at the same time in Connecticut. Thank you for everyone who said they would be willing to testify against these bills. We do not yet know when a hearing will be scheduled. Connecticuts legislative process does not require them to publish the specifics of a bill before a hearing, so we need to assume one or more of these bills will be a complete ban on all ivory including mammoths similar to what was passed in New Jersey. When the time comes, the people who said they would testify will be contacted directly.
Maryland HB713 is scheduled for hearing on March 4 at 1:00pm. This legislation is ambiguous about whether it applies to mammoth ivory, contains no commercial use exemptions for musical instruments, antiques or other items, criminalizes possession with intent to sell, and makes ivory sales a felony for second offenses if value exceeds $250.00.
Washington Bills are pending before both the House (HB1131) and Senate (SB5241). Constituents successfully gained exemptions in the House bill that eliminated mammoth from the definition of ivory, created some exemptions and reduced some of the penalties from the original bill. It remains to be seen how the Senate will react, whether the amendments from the House will make it into final legislation, and even if they do, how this ban would be enforced.
Iowa SF 30 is pending that would ban ivory from mammoths along with elephant ivory. This bill was recently reassigned to a subcommittee on Natural Resources and Environment.
Oklahoma HB1787 Would ban sales and possession with intent to sell of all ivory species including mammoth. Permit scheme similar to New York with very limited exemptions for antiques (less than 20% ivory) and musical instruments.
California AB96 Modifies existing California law to ban sale and possession with intent to sell of all species of ivory, including mammoth ivory. Exemptions for musical instruments with less than 20% ivory and made before 1975, and antiques less than 5% ivory by volume at least 100 years old. Jail time, fines up to $50,000, and administrative penalties up to $10,000 are potential penalties.
Federal Regulation and Legislation
African Elephant Conservation and Legal Ivory Possession Act Re-Introduced in Congress - Alaskan Congressman Don Young has introduced bipartisan legislation with Congressman Collin Peterson (D-MN) to roll-back and further halt onerous constraints on lawfully possessed ivory products, including musical instruments, firearms, knives, and museum pieces that include ivory parts. The African Elephant Conservation and Legal Ivory Possession Act of 2015, HR 697, would effectively end the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's draconian and unilateral moratorium on the sale and trade of lawfully possessed ivory, while also making significant efforts to assist anti-poaching efforts in countries with elephant populations.
This bill still needs more co-sponsors! Please contact your Member of Congress and urge him or her to co-sponsor this bill.
Write your member of Congress to get them to co-sponsor this legislation!
The bill would specifically allow:
● Lawfully possessed, raw or worked ivory to be imported or exported for museum displays and personal use;
● The Secretary of the Interior, in coordination with the Secretary of State, to place a U.S. Fish and Wildlife law enforcement officer in each African country with significant elephant populations;
● The Secretary of the Interior to certify any country found to be a significant transit or destination point under the Pelly Amendment to the Fishermen's Protective Act. This would allow the US to embargo wildlife products from Asian countries that are fueling African elephant poaching;
● The continued importation of sport-hunted elephant trophies from populations listed on Appendix II of the Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species;
● For the re-authorization of appropriations of not more than $5 million for each of the years 2016-2020, and for these funds to be prioritized for projects designed to facilitate the acquisition of equipment and training of wildlife officials in ivory producing countries for anti-poaching efforts.
Activity at USFWS
We continue to monitor the Fish and Wildlife Service . At the time of this writing there still has been no movement but we expect new regulation changes will be published for comment in the next 6 weeks or so.
As always, you can find your legislators and different ways to contact people about any of the above bills through our website, www.ElephantProtection.org.
Theres a lot going on and many opportunities for you to get involved at both state and federal levels to fight ivory bans.
New Activity in the States
Florida - SB1120 has been introduced to ban any species of elephant and mammoth and prohibiting the manufacture, sale, purchase, and distribution of ivory articles. In addition there would be an allowance for possible licensing for less than 20% ivory antiques, passing on to your heirs, museums, and musical instruments made before 1979.
Illinois - SB1858 will make it illegal to sell any ivory or ivory containing product. This bill makes no allowances or exemptions for mammoth ivory, musical instruments, or antiques. The only possible exemption will be for bona fide educational or scientific purposes. No hearing scheduled at this time.
Vermont - H297 - Other than the bill number, we don't know much about it. It is safe to assume this ban is like all of the other ones that the Humane Society of the US is pushing around the country.
New York has an amendment pending to their already- in- effect ivory ban. SB 2887 would prohibit the purchase and sale of ivory articles and rhinoceros horns, with limited exceptions, and increase the criminal and civil penalties for the illegal sale of these articles.
Hawaii - Two bills, one in the House and one in the Senate are pending. We have gotten word that these bills have been postponed for further consideration (Thank you to everyone who wrote and called in!) though scheduling could change at any time.
Still Pending in the following states, please keep writing and calling-
Connecticut there are four separate ivory ban bills pending at the same time in Connecticut. Thank you for everyone who said they would be willing to testify against these bills. We do not yet know when a hearing will be scheduled. Connecticuts legislative process does not require them to publish the specifics of a bill before a hearing, so we need to assume one or more of these bills will be a complete ban on all ivory including mammoths similar to what was passed in New Jersey. When the time comes, the people who said they would testify will be contacted directly.
Maryland HB713 is scheduled for hearing on March 4 at 1:00pm. This legislation is ambiguous about whether it applies to mammoth ivory, contains no commercial use exemptions for musical instruments, antiques or other items, criminalizes possession with intent to sell, and makes ivory sales a felony for second offenses if value exceeds $250.00.
Washington Bills are pending before both the House (HB1131) and Senate (SB5241). Constituents successfully gained exemptions in the House bill that eliminated mammoth from the definition of ivory, created some exemptions and reduced some of the penalties from the original bill. It remains to be seen how the Senate will react, whether the amendments from the House will make it into final legislation, and even if they do, how this ban would be enforced.
Iowa SF 30 is pending that would ban ivory from mammoths along with elephant ivory. This bill was recently reassigned to a subcommittee on Natural Resources and Environment.
Oklahoma HB1787 Would ban sales and possession with intent to sell of all ivory species including mammoth. Permit scheme similar to New York with very limited exemptions for antiques (less than 20% ivory) and musical instruments.
California AB96 Modifies existing California law to ban sale and possession with intent to sell of all species of ivory, including mammoth ivory. Exemptions for musical instruments with less than 20% ivory and made before 1975, and antiques less than 5% ivory by volume at least 100 years old. Jail time, fines up to $50,000, and administrative penalties up to $10,000 are potential penalties.
Federal Regulation and Legislation
African Elephant Conservation and Legal Ivory Possession Act Re-Introduced in Congress - Alaskan Congressman Don Young has introduced bipartisan legislation with Congressman Collin Peterson (D-MN) to roll-back and further halt onerous constraints on lawfully possessed ivory products, including musical instruments, firearms, knives, and museum pieces that include ivory parts. The African Elephant Conservation and Legal Ivory Possession Act of 2015, HR 697, would effectively end the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's draconian and unilateral moratorium on the sale and trade of lawfully possessed ivory, while also making significant efforts to assist anti-poaching efforts in countries with elephant populations.
This bill still needs more co-sponsors! Please contact your Member of Congress and urge him or her to co-sponsor this bill.
Write your member of Congress to get them to co-sponsor this legislation!
The bill would specifically allow:
● Lawfully possessed, raw or worked ivory to be imported or exported for museum displays and personal use;
● The Secretary of the Interior, in coordination with the Secretary of State, to place a U.S. Fish and Wildlife law enforcement officer in each African country with significant elephant populations;
● The Secretary of the Interior to certify any country found to be a significant transit or destination point under the Pelly Amendment to the Fishermen's Protective Act. This would allow the US to embargo wildlife products from Asian countries that are fueling African elephant poaching;
● The continued importation of sport-hunted elephant trophies from populations listed on Appendix II of the Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species;
● For the re-authorization of appropriations of not more than $5 million for each of the years 2016-2020, and for these funds to be prioritized for projects designed to facilitate the acquisition of equipment and training of wildlife officials in ivory producing countries for anti-poaching efforts.
Activity at USFWS
We continue to monitor the Fish and Wildlife Service . At the time of this writing there still has been no movement but we expect new regulation changes will be published for comment in the next 6 weeks or so.
As always, you can find your legislators and different ways to contact people about any of the above bills through our website, www.ElephantProtection.org.
- Joined
- Dec 20, 2009
- Messages
- 4,421
The question for this weeks Free Ivory Fridays is, what is the easiest way to tell your legislators your thoughts on the ivory bans. It's real easy to find your representatives and talk to them, tell me how.
You can enter in two ways, answer this question or let me know what results you got when you contacted your legislators to tell them how you feel about ivory bans. You can have your name in twice if you do both.
You can enter in two ways, answer this question or let me know what results you got when you contacted your legislators to tell them how you feel about ivory bans. You can have your name in twice if you do both.
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- Joined
- Dec 20, 2009
- Messages
- 4,421
Yep, I saw that, thank you. I hope all this make a difference.
- Joined
- Jul 1, 2013
- Messages
- 32,479
The easiest way to tell your legislators that you are against banning Ancient ivory and modern elephant that's in musical instruments, art work is to email them your thoughts on these or any other issue.
- Joined
- Dec 20, 2009
- Messages
- 4,421
Congratulations to Beck51, he is the winner of this weeks Free Ivory Fridays. PM or email me your shipping information.
- Joined
- Dec 20, 2009
- Messages
- 4,421
Ineffective & unfair IVORY BAN F-A-I-L-S in WA. State!
Exclamation Congrats to KNIFE RIGHTS - Ineffective & unfair IVORY ban FAILS in WA. State!
Knife Rights Media Release
Flaf Bar 499 pixels
Washington State Ivory Ban Bills Fail
Another Victory for Common Sense
March 2, 2015 - Gilbert, AZ: Another irrational state Ivory Ban effort has failed, this time in Washington State. Once a bright light was shone on the lies and deceit of the Ivory- banners, the bills (HB 1131 and SB 5241) proved unable to move forward by legislative deadlines.
Working closely with key allies including the NRA and the
Legal Ivory Rights Coalition, as well as our knife industry members, Mike Vellekamp (FOX Knives USA) and Tim Wegner (Blade-Tech) who testified against the bills at our request, we were collectively able to beat back the proposed draconian ban on ivory, including mammoth ivory, in Washington.
Washington now joins Virginia this year in rejecting the emotionally charged, but factually deficient arguments put forth by promoters of these Ivory Ban bills.
Knife Rights Chairman Doug Ritter said, "Knife Rights and all who we represent abhor the poaching of elephants in Africa. However, these ivory ban bills won't save a single living elephant, while taking hundreds of millions of dollars from millions of honest law-abiding Americans. It makes no sense to unfairly penalize Americans for the illegal and immoral activities that continue to threaten elephants, and which these proposed ivory bans do nothing to ameliorate. These ivory ban bills are Feel Good - Do Bad legislation at its worst." (Bold, Enlarged type added)
To all of you who made calls, wrote emails and came to testify, we are truly grateful for your help in defeating this misguided and irrational legislation.
ABOUT KNIFE RIGHTS
Knife Rights (http://www.KnifeRights.org) is rewriting knife law in America, aggressively forging a Sharper Future for all knife owners. Knife Rights is dedicated to providing knife owners an effective voice to influence public policy. In the past four years, Knife Rights has passed pro-knife legislation in 11 states and prevented anti-knife legislation in six states. Knife Rights is also the lead plaintiff in a federal civil rights lawsuit against New York City."
For more information contact:
Doug Ritter
Chairman
dritter@KnifeRights.org
Todd Rathner
Director of Legislative Affairs
trathner@KnifeRights.org :
Exclamation Congrats to KNIFE RIGHTS - Ineffective & unfair IVORY ban FAILS in WA. State!
Knife Rights Media Release
Flaf Bar 499 pixels
Washington State Ivory Ban Bills Fail
Another Victory for Common Sense
March 2, 2015 - Gilbert, AZ: Another irrational state Ivory Ban effort has failed, this time in Washington State. Once a bright light was shone on the lies and deceit of the Ivory- banners, the bills (HB 1131 and SB 5241) proved unable to move forward by legislative deadlines.
Working closely with key allies including the NRA and the
Legal Ivory Rights Coalition, as well as our knife industry members, Mike Vellekamp (FOX Knives USA) and Tim Wegner (Blade-Tech) who testified against the bills at our request, we were collectively able to beat back the proposed draconian ban on ivory, including mammoth ivory, in Washington.
Washington now joins Virginia this year in rejecting the emotionally charged, but factually deficient arguments put forth by promoters of these Ivory Ban bills.
Knife Rights Chairman Doug Ritter said, "Knife Rights and all who we represent abhor the poaching of elephants in Africa. However, these ivory ban bills won't save a single living elephant, while taking hundreds of millions of dollars from millions of honest law-abiding Americans. It makes no sense to unfairly penalize Americans for the illegal and immoral activities that continue to threaten elephants, and which these proposed ivory bans do nothing to ameliorate. These ivory ban bills are Feel Good - Do Bad legislation at its worst." (Bold, Enlarged type added)
To all of you who made calls, wrote emails and came to testify, we are truly grateful for your help in defeating this misguided and irrational legislation.
ABOUT KNIFE RIGHTS
Knife Rights (http://www.KnifeRights.org) is rewriting knife law in America, aggressively forging a Sharper Future for all knife owners. Knife Rights is dedicated to providing knife owners an effective voice to influence public policy. In the past four years, Knife Rights has passed pro-knife legislation in 11 states and prevented anti-knife legislation in six states. Knife Rights is also the lead plaintiff in a federal civil rights lawsuit against New York City."
For more information contact:
Doug Ritter
Chairman
dritter@KnifeRights.org
Todd Rathner
Director of Legislative Affairs
trathner@KnifeRights.org :
- Joined
- Mar 4, 2015
- Messages
- 23
Is it worth it to enter if I live in NYS? On the other hand, does it count if I had a face to face conversation with my congressman about this several months ago, because I had that opportunity and I took it then.
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