Huhne calls for clampdown on illegal ivory trade

10.09.09am BST (GMT +0100) Mon 1st Sep 2008

Eastleigh MP Chris Huhne has backed a House of Commons motion that calls for tougher measures to clamp down on the illegal trade in elephant ivory.

"Some 20,000 elephants a year are still being slaughtered to supply the illegal ivory trade, and one of the major destinations for illicit ivory is China" said Mr Huhne.

"China has made good progress to improve illegal wildlife trade enforcement, but there is more to do. Chinese citizens have been convicted of illegally trading ivory in 22 of the 37 African elephant range states" said Mr Huhne.

So far, 154 MPs have backed the early day motion calling for tougher enforcement.