The sale of animal parts from animals listed in Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (‘CITES’) is banned on Trade Me.

The ban came into effect on 17 September 2014.

The ban affects almost all ivory sales on Trade Me.

It also includes parts from animals such as red panda, gorilla, chimpanzee, tigers, lion, leopards, jaguar, cheetah, elephants, dugong, manatees and rhinoceros.

What is CITES?

CITES is an international agreement between governments that came into force in 1975. Its aim is to ensure that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival.

When did the ban come into play on Trade Me?

We’ve banned the sale of animal parts from animals listed in Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (‘CITES’) on Trade Me.

The ban came into effect on 17 September 2014.

The ban affects almost all ivory sales on Trade Me.

It also includes parts from animals such as red panda, gorilla, chimpanzee, tigers, lion, leopards, jaguar, cheetah, elephants, dugong, manatees and rhinoceros.

What is CITES?

Why did Trade Me made this decision?

A ban on ivory (and other animal products) felt like the right thing to do. We consulted with a lot of experts in this area, including advocacy groups and the Department of Conservation.

Trade Me allowing the sale of ivory in particular is increasingly out of step with international trends.

We also read the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Select Committee’s report which recommended a full ban on ivory sales in New Zealand.

So is all ivory banned from sale on Trade Me?

Almost all.

It has become a breach of Trade Me’s terms and conditions to sell any item made of or containing ivory, regardless of age or size, subject to two exceptions:

Pianos with ivory keys manufactured before 1975; and
Bag pipes with ivory parts manufactured before 1975

Why are there two exceptions?

These items pop up from time-to-time.

They are pretty uncommon historical antiques and are clearly identifiable. We do not believe allowing the trade in these items supports demand for ivory – modern versions of these instruments substitute ivory for alternative products.

Want to know more about CITES and the ivory trade?

More information about ivory trading can be found at these sites:

Image credit Ray in Manila per Creative Commons license.

Ivory and other endangered species products banned from sale