Singapore announces ban on domestic trade in elephant ivory

- Ban will come into effect on 1 September 2021

- 99% of feedback received through public consultation were supportive of the blanket ban

- Highlights Singapore’s resolve in the fight against illegal trade in CITES-listed species

Singapore, 12 August 2019 – Singapore announced today a ban on the domestic trade in elephant ivory, which will come into effect on 1 September 2021. The ban will mean that the sale of elephant ivory and ivory products, and public display of elephant ivory and ivory products for the purpose of sale will be prohibited in Singapore. This nationwide ban highlights Singapore’s resolve in the fight against illegal trade in species listed under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).

Under CITES, to which Singapore is a signatory, international trade in elephant ivory has been banned since 1990.

The ban comes into effect on 1 September 2021. After this date, traders can donate their stock to institutions for educational purposes or keep them. NParks will continue to work with them to ensure a smooth transition. Public display of elephant ivory or ivory products for educational or religious purposes will continue to be permitted. Similarly, those who own musical instruments and personal effects like bird cages that contain ivory may continue to use them in public.

For more information, please visit the website www.nparks.gov.sg/biodiversity/cites/domestic-trade-ban-in-ivory, or write to NParks at cites@nparks.gov.sg. Those who require assistance to dispose of their stock may also contact NParks at cites@nparks.gov.sg.

Public consultations and stakeholder engagements

Since 2017, the Government has conducted extensive stakeholder engagements with the public, including non-government organisations and ivory retailers for their views and comments with regard to the proposed blanket ban.

A public consultation was also conducted on the REACH portal from November to December 2018. Results from the public consultation showed that 99 per cent of feedback received through REACH were supportive of the blanket ban.

Dr Leong Chee Chiew, Director-General, Wildlife Trade Control, said: “It is timely that we are announcing the domestic ban of trade in ivory on World Elephant Day. NParks, as the national authority that enforces CITES in Singapore, is committed to stopping the trade of elephant ivory and its products for the conservation and protection of the world’s elephants. This is aligned with the views shared by the community who are similarly concerned about the impact that trade in elephant ivory has on the animal’s population numbers. Thus, local retailers will need to observe the ban in ivory trade when it comes into effect on 1 September 2021.”