A BID to take ivory off the market is being backed by Ellesmere Port politician Andrew Miller.
Mr Miller, MP for Ellesmere Port and Neston, has shown his support for elephants by supporting the International Fund for Animal Welfare’s (IFAW)’s ivory surrender.
He attended IFAW’s recent campaign launch at the House of Commons and is calling on members of the public to send IFAW any unwanted items of ivory they have to ensure they do not end up back on the commercial market.
Mr Miller said: “I am pleased to be backing the ivory surrender and urge people to send in unwanted items of ivory to IFAW and back their campaign for greater protection for elephants.
“Every piece of ivory represents a dead elephant and that is why I am supporting the UK-wide ivory surrender to help raise awareness of the threats facing elephants and to encourage the UK Government to push its pledge to press for a ban of ivory sales internationally.
“A new Ipsos MORI polling shows that more than four in 10 adults in the North West are unaware that elephants have to die before their ivory can be obtained, while almost four million British residents are owners of ivory.”
The global illegal trade in wildlife is estimated to be worth £12bn annually, second only to the illicit trade in drugs and arms.
Anyone who would like to donate ivory to the surrender can email ivory@ifaw.org or call 020 7587 6709. For further information on the campaign, visit www.ifaw.org/ivory.
