Ivory auction date nears

THE date on which Namibia will hold it’s one-off ivory sale this year will be determined by the 15th meeting of the Standing Committee of the United Nations Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (Cites) to be held this year.

A senior official in the Ministry of Environment and Tourism, Dr Pauline Lindeque, who deals with Cites-related matters at the Ministry, said the meeting takes place from March 15 to 19 in Geneva, Switzerland. Lindeque was responding to a query by The Namibian on whether Namibia had set a date for the auction.Namibia has been given the green light to have a one-off ivory sale.However, the country wanted to be allowed an annual quota.Botswana and South Africa were also allowed to have a one-off sale by the same meeting.Namibia has been given permission to sell 10 tonnes of ivory from its stockpile.However, the three countries are required to make sure that strict wildlife protection measures are in place before any sale.At an auction in 1999, the average price achieved was US$103 per kg.(about N$720), but prices at the pending auction could vary considerably.At 1999 prices, the 10 tonnes would be worth approximately N$7,2 million.Zambia and Zimbabwe’s request to trade in ivory was not approved.Namibia is an active member of the Swiss-based United Nations body.Lindeque was responding to a query by The Namibian on whether Namibia had set a date for the auction. Namibia has been given the green light to have a one-off ivory sale. However, the country wanted to be allowed an annual quota. Botswana and South Africa were also allowed to have a one-off sale by the same meeting. Namibia has been given permission to sell 10 tonnes of ivory from its stockpile. However, the three countries are required to make sure that strict wildlife protection measures are in place before any sale. At an auction in 1999, the average price achieved was US$103 per kg. (about N$720), but prices at the pending auction could vary considerably. At 1999 prices, the 10 tonnes would be worth approximately N$7,2 million. Zambia and Zimbabwe’s request to trade in ivory was not approved. Namibia is an active member of the Swiss-based United Nations body.