Division 16

The Union notes that several, partly conflicting, proposals have been tabled by Parties in relation to legal trade in elephant ivory. International trade in ivory is currently banned under the CITES framework. The Union considers that the conditions for re-authorising such trade are not met and will oppose any change to the current CITES regime which could result in relaxing the current ban on international trade in elephant ivory or resumption of international trade in elephant ivory. With regard to domestic ivory markets, the Union should continue to support proportionate, effective measures based on the best available evidence, within the scope of CITES.