In advance of CITES meeting, Kenya officially opposes re-start of ivory trade
NAIROBI, March 12 (Reuters ) - Kenya Friday underlined its strong opposition to any move to lift a ban on trading ivory ahead of a meeting on endangered species.
The Convention of International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) is due to meet on March 13 in Qatar.
A nine-year ban on ivory sales was agreed in 2007 under the Convention of International Trade in Endangered Species.
Kenya relies heavily on tourism to earn foreign exchange and many visitors come to the country to visit its numerous game parks, and see its animals, among them a 35,000-strong heavily protected elephant population.
"Tourism accounts for 21 percent of the total foreign exchange earnings and 12 percent of GDP. Tourism resources must, therefore, be guarded fiercely, hence Kenya's relentless conservation efforts," President Mwai Kibaki said.