My husband went to see him on November 16 and was told everything has moved on and it is now about a total ban with one or two exceptions.
Seemingly ours was the only voice of opposition he had heard in a sea of those calling for a total ban. He had not heard any similar views raised by others in Parliament either.
The sad fact is the government and MPs are not aware of all the facts – the trade, collectors and interested parties are not making themselves heard.
Today’s debate is not based on a balanced view. It is emotion-driven, celebrity-led, played out in the media, and who shouts the loudest will get results.
We are not being heard, but can we stand the cultural and financial loss?
No.
Pressure groups have provided set answers for the consultation questions to bias the outcome. The general public can provide the weight of opinion with little knowledge or understanding of the facts.
Don’t be complacent: common sense without action will not save the day. Stand up and voice your argument.
I’m not on social media, but if you are, get the facts out there, or write to the papers to balance the view, meet your MP and complete the online consultation.
Auction houses, online auction sites and dealers get involved: you have the database of those who have bought worked ivory, why not contact them and group together?
“Today’s debate is not based on a balanced view – it is emotion-driven and celebrity-led
Our cultural heritage and all the knowledge that goes with it must be preserved for posterity.
G&E Whitfield
Collector of Japanese works of art
Collectors' voices need to be heard
MADAM – The excellent letter from Michael Baggott argued most effectively and sensibly in respect of the critical ivory debate (ATG No 2318).
Hopefully, they will not be his “final thoughts” on the subject, as we need perspicacious minds like his involved in the future.
In the same issue, Mark Dodgson, secretary general of BADA, rightly said, with regard to the consultation on the government proposal to introduce a total ban on UK sales of ivory, “BADA is very keen to encourage collectors to take part in the consultation. They own the objects and it is very important that they participate.”
By the same token, might one enquire why collectors were not invited to participate in the key November 23 meeting with MPs and peers, organised by the All- Party Parliamentary Group on Endangered Species?
Is it not important that concerned collectors are given the same opportunity as dealers to speak directly to parliamentarians?
Gavin Littaur
London
