Vietnam to destroy more than 2 tons of seized rhino horn and ivory

Thứ Năm, 10/11/2016, 20:26
PSNews- The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development in collaboration with the Ministry of Public Security and Ministry of Finance will on November 12 destroy 2 tons of ivory and 70kg of rhino horns seized from illegal trafficking activities, released a representative of the ministry at a meeting on Wednesday.

According to Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Ha Cong Tuan, they plan to destroy the seized items in Soc Son District, a suburb of Hanoi. All the items will be crushed, burned then buried.

The destroying of ivory and rhino horn conveys a strong message of Vietnam echoing the international community’s effort to prevent illegal trafficking activities of wild animals, plants as well as to raise public awareness of stopping the use of these products, the Deputy Minister said.

Many other countries, including Kenya, the US, France, Italy, Czech Republic, Philippines and Singapore, also destroy all seized ivory and rhino horn.

Mr. Ha Cong Tuan also informed that representatives from relevant ministries, foreign embassies in Hanoi, international organizations such as the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crimes, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, the United Nations Environment Programme as well as representatives from NGOs and news agencies will witness the destruction.

After the destruction, the 3rd International Wildlife Trade Conference will be opened in Hanoi from Nov. 17-18 with the participation of high-level delegations from 54 countries.

At this meeting, the participating countries will adopt the Hanoi Declaration on anti-illegal trafficking of wild animals and plants. 
PSN