Law, crime and regulation

MPs have called for a “quick, affordable and not too bureaucratic” registration process for items containing less than 10% ivory under the bill that will usher in a near-total ban on the trade in ivory objects.

MADAM – The consultation by DEFRA on the proposed government ivory ban seemingly gave no information for or against a total ban on ivory which could help respondents have an informed opinion.

The bill that will mean a near-total ban on the sale of African elephant ivory could be extended to include other ivory-bearing species before it becomes law.

The Antiquities Dealers’ Association (ADA) has warned that “long-term damage is being inflicted on both the trade and museums” by the growing number of legal cases surrounding antiquities with long North American provenances.

MADAM – With high-profile seizures taking place, particularly in New York (‘Trade decries US crackdown on antiquities’, News, ATG No 2345), long-term damage is being inflicted on both the trade and museums.

The growth of new technologies such as blockchain will lead to a ‘fairer and more ethical’ art market, says The Design and Artists Copyright Society (DACS).

Demands for ‘looted’ items to be returned could be ‘disastrous’ for the dealers, say antiquities trade bodies...

MADAM – As a museum service curator of 40 years’ standing, with a special interest in British and Chinese decorative arts from 1500 to 1760, now retired but continuing my scholarly research as before, I have been following the debate on the ivory ban in the Antiques Trade Gazette, of which I am a long-term subscriber.

The art and antiques trade associations are in a race against time in their bid to challenge aspects of the government’s planned ivory ban. The bill was published last week, earlier than expected.

The 57-page UK ivory ban bill which was published last week deviates little from the proposals announced in April. Here ATG picks out some important points to note.

MADAM – I have a deep concern that our political masters do not properly understand what they are proposing to unleash with their submission to well-meaning but ill-informed pressure groups over the ‘total’ ban on the sale of ivory in this country.

MADAM – Thank you for publishing our letter (ATG No 2341), in which we outlined why the Public Monuments and Sculpture Association intended to seek legal advice on the government’s proposed ivory ban.