Recommendations on Regulating Ivory Relics Auction in China

2018-03

At the end of 2016, the State Council promulgated the "Announcement on Banning the Commercial Processing and Sale of Ivory and Related Products" (hereinafter referred to as the "Notice"). By December 31, 2017, the legal ivory business in the country was completely closed. These actions, especially the closure of the domestic commercial ivory market, have demonstrated the firm position and attitude of the Chinese government in cracking down on illegal trade in wild animals. They have generated positive responses in the international community and have also played positive roles in the promotion of ivory policy in the United States, Japan, the United Kingdom, and Europe. After the closure of domestic commercial ivory trade, in order to better inherit the intangible cultural heritage of ivory carving, the government also emphasized the strict management of legal collections of ivory relics. To ensure the thorough implementation of the ban, NRDC conducted a relics management policy study and recommend the concerned government agencies to provide for the relevant regulations and procedures for the ivory relics auction with clear cutoff age, to publicize the list of designated appraisal and auction agencies, to strengthening market supervision, self-discipline within the industry and social supervision. 

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