Bill Description:
Representative DeFazio (D-OR) introduced legislation that will impose trade sanctions on countries that facilitate ivory trafficking. The TUSKER Act will require certain nations to work with the U.S. on anti-poaching efforts, or face sanctions if they fail to cooperate.[teaserbreak]
The target nations will be identified by the Convention on the International Trade of Endangered Species (CITES). The nations they determine are a significant source, transit, or destination point for illegal ivory will immediately be required to enter into consultations with the U.S. to put an end to trafficking. If a country fails to do so, it will face trade sanctions under the Pelly Amendment, which will be far more economically damaging than loss of the illegal ivory revenue.
Background:
The TUSKER Act will enhance America’s ability to deter nations from allowing ivory trade to flourish. Illegal trafficking in ivory is directly responsible for shocking declines in elephant populations in recent years, and this bill is a crucial step toward reducing the threat to elephants on the ground.
Read our press release on the introduction of this bill here, and click here to read Rep. DeFazio’s press statement explaining his motivations.
Check out the Bloody Ivory website for details on the tragic elephant slaughter and illegal ivory trade.
And be sure to read the summaries of our ivory reports (phase 1 and phase 2), which detail the groundbreaking information uncovered by our investigation of illegal wildlife trafficking in Africa and its global market.