Rhino Horn Trade – EU Measures and proposals

Rhino Populations

• 18,790 Southern White rhino

• Possibly 4 Northern White rhino

• 4,840 Black rhino

• Largest populations in South Africa with significant numbers in Namibia, Kenya and Zimbabwe.

• 2,800 Greater one horned rhino and small numbers of Sumatran and Lesser one horned rhino.

Recent Trends

• in the UK, notable increase in rhino horn re-export applications

• antique horn increasingly offered for sale in auction houses and commanding ever higher prices

Prices realised for rhino horn

2010 • a single mounted horn - £14,000 • pair of horns on mount - £65,000• taxidermied head with 2 horns - £155,000

2011 • ten cylindrical jars (largest 13cms, smallest 2.5cms) -

£3,800• 19th century cane - £7,000• knobkerry (club) - £8,000• 18th century libation cup - £300,000

• prices for mounted horn appear linked to weight

• following sale, re-export applications made to export either to China, Hong Kong or Australia

Road to Australia .........

• in 2010 a Chinese buyer made 11 separate applications to re-export mounted rhino horns from the UK to Australia

• on leaving the UK the exporter was found to have removed 2 of the horns from their mounts

• re-export permits were thus invalidated (specimens no longer fitted the description on the permit) and horns confiscated by Customs

This case instrumental in alerting UK to increasing magnitude and trends of rhino horn trade.

Rise in rhino horn thefts across the world

All within the last 4 months – • Belgium - attempted theft of rhino head from

Zoological Museum, Liège; theft of rhino head from Natural History Museum, Brussels

• Germany - rhino horns stolen from museums in Bamberg, Oerrel, and Hamburg

• Italy - 3 rhino horns stolen from Museum of Natural History, Florence

• UK - rhino head stolen from Haslemere Museum and rhino horn stolen from Ipswich Museum

..... in the USA

• 2 Irish citizens sentenced to prison after pleading guilty to rhino horn smuggling charges.

Also originating in Ireland ........

• an organised crime gang masterminding illegal trade in rhino horns around the world, targeting auction rooms, galleries, museums, zoos and private collections

Link between increase in demand and illegal killing of rhino

• since 2008, significant increase in demand for rhino horn products has been mirrored by increase in illegal killing of rhinos

data from 2006 to 2010 finds a correlation coefficient of +0.99; this indicates a strong positive relationship between rhino horn re-export applications and illegal killing of rhinos

Correlation between rhino horn re-export applications from EU Member States and illegal killing of rhinos in South Africa

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EU measures

• EU now applies strict criteria when considering re-export applications:– Item is of such artistic value that it exceeds its

potential value on illegal medicine market– Item is part of genuine exchange of cultural goods

between museums etc– Item has not been sold and is moving as part of a

family relocation or bequest– Item is part of a verifiable research project

For rhino horn in intra-EU trade• EU advises Member States on strict

interpretation of derogation in Council Regulation 338/97 for “worked” pre-1947 items: – definition of “worked” should be interpreted

narrowly; rhino horn mounted on a shield should not be considered “worked”

– artistic nature of any alteration (for “jewellery, art, adornment, utility or musical instrument”) should be given strict and thorough consideration

– where rhino horn has been imported as personal effects/hunting trophy, no certificate for commercial use will subsequently be granted

Need for uniform approach by all CITES Parties

• To ensure effective action against increasing trade / threats to wild rhinos, important to take uniform approach

• Need all Parties to urgently adopt precautionary measures to more strictly control import, export and re-export of all rhino horn specimens

EU and Member States also urge

• Establishment of Working Group to build on work of Rhino Enforcement Task Force, identifying measures CITES Parties can take to: – reduce impact of illegal trade on rhino

conservation– enhance existing controls on trade in rhino horn

products• Parties provide information on trade in rhinos, their

parts and derivatives• Appropriately targeted educational campaigns

Parties urged to support stronger action now

• Immediate and rising threats to rhinos from increased trade and illegal activities

• Need concerted action now to halt this before too late