Bill Description:
Representative Peter DeFazio (D-OR) introduced legislation that will impose trade sanctions on countries that facilitate ivory or rhino horn 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 or rhino horn 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 or rhino horn revenue.
Background:
The TUSKER Act will enhance America’s ability to deter nations from allowing wildlife trade to flourish. Illegal trafficking in ivory and rhino horn is directly responsible for shocking declines in elephant and rhino populations in recent years, and this bill is a crucial step toward reducing the threat to these animals on the ground.
Read Representative DeFazio’s press release on the introduction of this bill here.
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.
Take Action:
Use this form to contact your U.S. representative and urge him or her to support the bill!
Read the full text and follow its progress here.