PARIS: New procedures, only now being understood by the French trade, demand that all ivory objects regardless of date must receive prior approval before they are sold.
French environment minister Ségolène Royal passed an executive order controlling the sale of all species of elephant ivory and rhino horn in August. While the new rules appeared to impact only those items worked within the past 40 years, their effect could be more far reaching.
“The total ban covers only objects worked from July 1 1975,” says Brigitte Vergilino, a Parisian fiscal lawyer who is advising the SNA on the issue. “However, this does not mean trade in objects worked prior to this date is free.”
As before, a derogation exists for antiques (defined here as objects worked prior to 1947) but these exceptions are “now subject to cumbersome formalities and permits will only be granted on specific request.”
