At an auction in the province of Zeeland the Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (nVWA) seized 2 rhino horns. The Belgian owner wanted to sell the rhino horns through an auction in the Netherlands.
The horns are 40 and 50 cm long and together weigh 4.4 kilograms. The estimated value is between € 20,000 to 60,000 per kg.
The rhinoceros is an internationally protected species. Their horns may only be traded if certificates proof they are for example antique horns. The Belgian said he already had the horns in possession for many years and received them through an inheritance. Because he could not prove that, the horns were seized.
The seizure is the responsibility of the nVWA, the Dutch National Service of the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Agriculture and Innovation (EL & I). Representatives of this organisation took the horns to a so-called storage holder. The costs will be recovered from the auction house.
The Belgian and the auction violated the Dutch Flora and Fauna Law and the CITES rules. In the international CITES treaty, the rules for trade in protected species are recorded. This treaty has different degrees of protection, the rhino has been placed in the most protected category.
The task of the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority is to protect human and animal health. It monitors food and consumer products to safeguard public health and animal health and welfare. The Authority controls the whole production chain, from raw materials and processing aids to end products and consumption.
Source: pressrelease Ministry of Economic Affairs, Agriculture and Innovation
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