Panel forgoes call for early closure of domestic ivory markets

A panel of an international convention on endangered species on Wednesday decided not to adopt a resolution calling for an early shutdown of domestic ivory markets, including the widely criticized ivory market in Japan.Instead, participants of the panel of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora -- known as the Washington Convention -- agreed to report preventive measures against the poaching of elephants and illegal trade to the standing committee next year.In 1990, international ivory trading was banned in principle under the Washington Conventi…READ FULL ARTICLE