WASHINGTON STATE

Washington State House Democrats

HOUSE DEMOCRATS

Pettigrew bill to save African elephants moves out of committee

 Legislative Support ServicesOLYMPIA – Today the Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee voted to pass HB 1131, which will ban illegal ivory trade in Washington state, out of committee.

“The U.S. is one of the largest ivory markets in the world,” said Rep. Pettigrew, prime sponsor of the bill. “In 2012 alone over 35,000 African elephants were slaughtered for their tusks. Unless we act, some scientists predict that African elephants could be extinct within 20 years. ”

“Nearly 96 African elephants a day are poached to meet the unregulated demand of the illegal ivory market – much of it imported to the United States,” said Dr. Deborah Jensen, President and CEO of the Woodland Park Zoo. “We have heard from thousands of Washingtonians who want to stop ivory sales in our state, protecting elephants for generations to come. We applaud Representative Pettigrew and our legislators for taking this bold step.”

A federal rule enacted in 2014 made it illegal to sell elephant ivory and rhinoceros horn across state lines and international borders. However, the sale of elephant ivory and rhino horn within state borders is uncontrolled. Therefore, once ivory enters the country it is nearly impossible to prosecute those who bring it in. So far only New Jersey and New York have passed bans on illegal ivory. This year, Washington joins seven other states in considering this legislation.

“Enacting state-by-state ivory bans is the most effective way to close loopholes in the federal ban and save endangered elephants and rhinos,” said Rep. Pettigrew. “This bill will not only save endangered animals, but will stop money from illegal ivory trade from going to fund a wide variety of illegal activities around the world.”

HB 1131 will now move to either the Appropriations or General  Government and Information Technologies Committee.