Stricter rules against ivory trade
The European Union has announced an amendment to EU Regulation 865/2006, which is increasingly targeting intra-Community trade in ivory. Differentiated rules apply to trade in musical instruments.
Trade in objects containing worked ivory, with the exception of musical instruments or their accessories that contain ivory and were legally acquired before 1975 (Asian elephant) or 1976 (African elephant), is prohibited, unless they are musical instruments "used exclusively for decorative purposes". The instrument must therefore have been played "recently" - a concept that still requires some clarification from the Commission.
Legally acquired stocks of raw ivory may continue to be used to replace ivory parts in instruments manufactured before 1975/1976. However, the manufacture of new instruments from these stocks is now prohibited. A CITES certificate is required for so-called "antique" instruments (pre-1947), whereas they were previously exempt from this requirement.
Original article:
https://www.fim-musicians.org/de/eu-ivory-ban-2021-12/
