Ban on Domestic Trade in Ivory
Ministry of National DevelopmentSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns Mr Louis Ng Kok Kwang’s inquiry into whether a domestic ban on ivory trade will be implemented and the associated timeframe. Minister of State for National Development Dr Koh Poh Koon responded that the Government is exploring a ban to support elephant conservation efforts. He stated that implementation details and the timeline would be finalized after consulting with local stakeholders to determine the policy’s full impact. The Minister of State noted that while commercial international trade was prohibited in 1990, domestic sales remain legal until the ban is enacted. Non-commercial ivory for research or display continues to be permitted with approval and documentation from the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority of Singapore.
Transcript
2 Mr Louis Ng Kok Kwang asked the Minister for National Development (a) whether the Ministry will implement a ban on the domestic trade in ivory; (b) if so, what is the timeframe for implementing the ban; and (c) if not, what factors does the Ministry take into account in not banning the domestic trade.
The Minister of State for National Development (Dr Koh Poh Koon) (for the Minister for National Development): Mdm Speaker, the Government is looking into implementing a domestic ban on the sale of ivory. This is part of Singapore's broader commitment to tackle the illegal ivory trade and to support elephant conservation. The implementation details, including an engagement process with relevant stakeholders, are currently being worked out.
Mdm Speaker: Mr Louis Ng.
Mr Louis Ng Kok Kwang (Nee Soon): Mdm Speaker, can I check if there is a timeframe for implementing this ban? Secondly, if we do implement the ban, can I check with the Minister of State what will they do with the ivory that is currently on sale in our shops? Would we be requiring the shop owners to surrender them or will we allow them to keep it? My fear of allowing them to keep it is that it may enter into the black market.
Dr Koh Poh Koon: Madam, we will announce the timeframe when we have sufficient time to engage with the local stakeholders and we will notify the public accordingly. In terms of local ivory trade, the commercial import and export of ivory have been prohibited since 1990. Non-commercial import and export of ivory, for example, for museum display and for research, are still permitted with the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority of Singapore's (AVA's) approval and documentation. Within Singapore, buying and selling of ivory is permitted until such a ban is in place.