Michael Gove announces ivory ban - then admits he has a piano at home
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Michael Gove hit the airwaves this morning, trumpeting his plans to ban the sale of ivory to all who would listen.
And then someone asked him if he had a piano at home.
The sale of almost all ivory including "antique" items would be banned under plans set out by the Government to help end elephant poaching.
The Environment Secretary set out proposals for a near-total ban on ivory sales in the UK as he warned declines in elephant populations fuelled by poaching for their tusks "shames our generation".
About 20,000 elephants are being slaughtered annually due to the global demand in ivory and if current rates of poaching continue, the animals could become extinct within decades in some African countries, experts warn.
But Gove had an awkward moment during an interview with LBC Radio's Nick Ferrari.
Ferrari asked him: "Before I let you go - do you have a piano and have you checked the keys as regards ivory?"
(Image: Getty Images Europe)
(Image: PA)
The flustered Tory minister replied: "We do have a piano actually...erm....and..."
He said it was not he, but his wife Sarah Vine who was the musician in the family.
He admitted: "I haven't actually checked the keys....erm...but I'd better go back now and make sure."
Conservation groups have called for a ban amid concerns the legal market in ivory in the UK has been used as a cover for trade in illegal ivory.
The UK also makes legal shipments of antiques to Asia, helping supply the world's largest ivory markets which are driving the poaching crisis.
(Image: PA)
Existing rules allow for "worked" or carved items produced before March 3, 1947, to be sold in the UK while sale of raw ivory of any age is prohibited.
Under the new proposals, which are being put out for consultation, sales of the older worked items would be banned.
The plans include some exemptions for items which do not contribute to the poaching of elephants, including musical instruments such as pianos with ivory keys, items containing only a small proportion of ivory and those which have significant historic, artistic or cultural value.
Sales to and between museums would also be exempted under the plans.