Ivory Act 2018

Key Points

• There is a general prohibition on dealing in ivory, with limited transitional exemptions (notably regarding pre-commencement insurance transactions).
• Enforcement powers were debated and narrowed: the role and powers of “accredited civilian officers” were adjusted, with some powers (like breaking open containers) removed or restricted.
• Regulations applying outside England are to be made by the appropriate national authorities (the devolved administrations) with the consent of those authorities, rather than by the UK government alone.
• Guidance and policy require consultation with Welsh Ministers, Scottish Ministers and the Northern Ireland department before publication.
• Transitional rules protect certain pre-existing insurance transactions and insurer dealings, to smooth the move to the new regime.
• The Bill’s path involved substantial amendments at Report Stage, driven by Conservative peers, before final passage and Royal Assent.

Progress

The bill passed through all 14 parliamentary stages and received Royal Assent on 20 December 2018, becoming law.

Voting

In the Commons, two key amendments were defeated: New Clause 2 (defeated 262–306) and New Clause 1 (defeated 256–305). Across party lines, Labour, SNP, Lib Dem, Plaid Cymru and Independents supported the amendments, while Conservative MPs largely opposed, with opposition also from DUP and Reform UK on these points.