Hong Kong has an ivory trade ban

hong-kong - Hong Kong forbids the sale of ivory by 2021. The semi-autonomous state is seen together with China as the largest market in elephant ivory.

The Hong Kong Legislative Council voted by an overwhelming majority Wednesday for the ban on 'cruel trade,' South China Morning Post reports. Trade will be phased out over the next three years.

Hong Kong follows China, where trading was restricted last month. The trade in new, 'raw' ivory is already banned in Hong Kong. But the current legislation allows the trade in ivory produced before 1990. According to critics, traders used this condition to 'launder' new ivory.