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On November 28, 2023, I represented the French Committee of the IUCN in Reims at the ivory destruction operation organized by IFAW France in collaboration with the French Office for Biodiversity (OFB). Together, we carried out an action that is much more than symbolic: the destruction of 1.5 tons of ivory.
The legislation has evolved: since 2017, individuals can no longer sell or buy ivory. But we must also consider those who possess ivory; many individuals inherit objects that they do not wish to keep, display, or know how to dispose of. By organizing this third collection operation, IFAW truly acts as a public interest operator alongside the OFB, which manages the seizures.
The French Committee is proud to partner with one of its member organizations, IFAW France, for this significant destruction of ivory. Beyond symbolism, this operation marks the intensification of the fight against wildlife trafficking.
According to INTERPOL, the global black market for illegal wildlife products reaches 20 billion dollars a year. It is, therefore, a current issue that must be addressed. In collaboration with our member organizations, the French Committee of the IUCN continues to make efforts to intensify the fight against wildlife trafficking and its derivatives.
This action aligns with Motion 047 from the 2021 IUCN World Conservation Congress, emphasizing the need to treat organized crime impacting the environment as a serious offense.
This operation resonates with recent developments within the European Union that demonstrate a collective effort to combat environmental crime, accompanied by the implementation of stricter sanctions. The agreement between the European Parliament and the Council serves as a timely reminder of the global commitment needed to eradicate such illicit activities and protect biodiversity.
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