eBay announces ban on ivory trade on its sites

Jun 6, 2007, 13:15 GMT

The Hague, Netherlands - US-based online commerce site eBay said Wednesday it will ban international trade of elephant ivory on all of its sites around the globe, creating the first-ever online international trade ban of elephant ivory.

eBay said the decision followed an eight-country investigation by IFAW (International Fund for Animal Welfare) of ivory for sale on eBay sites.

The announcement by the San Jose, California-based company came as more than 170 nations had gathered in The Hague for the 14th meeting of the Convention on the International Trade of Endangered Species (CITES) to consider a 20-year elephant ivory trade moratorium.

In its survey carried out in February 2007, IFAW found that 94 per cent of elephant ivory for sale on eBay sites was potentially illegal. The report also found that eBay policies varied from country to country and were often vague and not enforced.

In its announcement, eBay stated that in addition to the ban of international trade, clearer and stricter policies would be implemented on a national level for in-country trade.

'It is fantastic news that an international company of eBay's commercial and financial might has taken groundbreaking steps to protect elephants from the international illegal ivory trade,' said Peter Pueschel, manager of IFAW's global programme Protection Against Commercial Trade (PACT).,

'IFAW believes that this is an important step forward, but that a total ban is ultimately needed, and we will continue to work with eBay and others to implement this,' he added.