Washington, D.C. -Today, Ranking Member of the House Natural Resources Committee Peter DeFazio (D-OR) issued the following statement in response to Obama Administration’s action items to crack down on illegal wildlife trading:
“I commend the Task Force for their hard work and the Administration for taking definitive steps to crack down on the illegal trade of elephant ivory and rhino horn, as well as trade in other wildlife. As one of the largest markets for elephant ivory in the world, the United States demand is fueling this illegal trade and the poaching of elephants. As many as 40,000 elephants were slaughtered in 2013 alone for their tusks, and populations of both elephants and rhinos in Africa and Asia are at a tipping point. Clear and decisive action if needed to thwart this illegal trade and save these majestic species from extinction. The illegal wildlife trade is also enriching criminal syndicates and terrorist groups that threaten regional stability in Africa and national security in the United States. At over $20 billion per year, wildlife crime rivals trafficking in guns, narcotics, and humans, but is growing faster because of weak penalties. This decisive action by the Administration is a critical step toward choking off market access. I hope they hold as strong in pressing for enforceable sanctions in the environment chapter of the ongoing Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiations."
