CHINA imposed a one-year ban on ivory imports with immediate effect on Thursday.

The State Forestry Administration said it hoped the ban would be a concrete step to reduce the demand for African tusks and to protect wild elephants.  The unnamed official said the temporary ban would allow authorities to evaluate its effect on elephant protection before they can take further, more effective steps.

China is the world’s largest importer of smuggled tusks, although Beijing has campaigned against illegal ivory. 

Six tons of illegal ivory were pulverised last year in Dongguan and Chinese courts have stepped up prosecutions.

Wildlife activists welcomed the step but insisted it fell short of addressing the root issue — China’s large stockpile of legal ivory.

International Fund for Animal Welfare Asia director Grace Ge Gabriel said the stockpile “confuses consumers, provides cover for criminals and stimulates poaching of elephants,” she said.