Security tightens further around antique rhino horn sales in the UK.
Concerns about illegal activities stemming from legal rhino horn sales have prompted UK authorities to tighten regulations for the second time in as many months. It is now illegal to sell, or advertise for sale, any rhino horn item without advance clearance by the UK CITES Management Authority.
Last month, the UK agency Animal Health (which regulates trade in endangered species) clamped down on re-exports of “worked” rhino horn items amid concerns that buyers from rhino horn consumer countries were dealing in rhino horn.
It was noted that there was a growing correlation between the unprecedented rise in rhino killings worldwide and “spectacular prices” realized from rhino horn at public auction, and that Chinese are among the main buyers of rhino horn for export. For example, Tennants recently received a record £106,000 (USD $164,046) for a rhinoceros horn mount – and the buyer was from mainland China.
Advance approval now required for antique rhino horn sales
Going forward, advance approval is required to advertise for sale or to sell any rhino horn product. All dealers or auctioneers will need to download and complete a checklist located on the Animal Health website prior to accepting a rhino horn product for sale. Each approval will be assigned a unique identification number.
Permissions to sell will be uniquely numbered which will enable the seller to quote the number in the sales description thus avoiding any further queries as to the legality of the item.
The head of UK CITES management authority John Hounslow explained via the Antiques Trade Gazette explained how the identification system would be used to track potential illegal activities.
It is important to obtain this approval in advance as not only will you be possibly committing a criminal act without it, but if an overseas buyer subsequently applies for a re-export permit [for a Chinese carved rhino horn libation cup] without being able to quote the sales approval number the re-export application will be refused.
The Minister for Biodiversity’s decision to impose a partial ban was based on the fact that he no longer wished the UK to be tarred with the label of fuelling illegal markets albeit with legally acquired products.
Legalized trade in endangered species, such as rhino horn, often ends up being used as a smokescreen by dealers and traders who forge paperwork and launder illegal wildlife products.
In the case of antiques and taxidermy items, rhino horn dealers profit by selling “legally” acquired products for processing into traditional medicines. Rhino horn is in high demand for use in traditional medicines in China and Vietnam, despite the fact that rhino horn has been extensively analyzed and actually contains no medicinal properties.
The UK’s diligence and quick action to stop unscrupulous buyers of rhino horn is appreciated.
Source: Antiques Trade Gazette
Image via CINOA
See Rhino Horn is Not Medicine for more information.
