Vietnam proposes to destroy seized rhino horns and ivory

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development is considering destroying Vietnam's stockpile of rhino horns, ivory and tiger bones to affirm to the world that Vietnam does not allow wildlife trafficking or the consumption and trade of endangered species such as rhinos to exist on its territory.

Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Ha Cong Tuan, speaks about the destruction of rhino horn, ivory and tiger bone stocks.

The CITES Management Authority of Vietnam under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development recently held a roundtable conference in Hanoi on March 24 to enhance the coordination of policy initiatives and interventions of the government, international organizations, non-governmental organizations and donors, thereby creating conditions for parties to discuss challenges as well as priority actions for Vietnam to deal with transnational wildlife trafficking.

The conference was attended by representatives from the Embassies of the United States, the United Kingdom, China, Switzerland, Mozambique, the German government, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and key central agencies of Vietnam such as the Supreme People's Procuracy, the Public Security Force and Customs.

Dr. Susan Lieberman, Executive Director of Conservation Policy at the Wildlife Conservation Society WCS, welcomed this initiative by the Vietnamese Government and said:

"We welcome the enhanced cooperation between the Government of Vietnam and the Governments of the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, the European Union, the Asian Development Bank ADB, and UNODC to address the potential threats of wildlife trafficking.

We also welcome the announcement today by the Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development of Vietnam that the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development is considering destroying Vietnam’s stockpile of rhino horns, ivory and tiger bones, as a statement to the Vietnamese people and the world that Vietnam does not allow wildlife trafficking or the consumption and trade of endangered species such as rhinos on its territory. If effective, this decision will set a high standard for other countries and reinforce Vietnam’s commitment to treating wildlife crime as a serious crime.”

According to NDĐT