China is trying to keep its ivory carving industry alive by banning any new companies from entering the market. The move, announced Friday by the State Forestry Administration (SFA), will help extend existing supplies of ivory for another 15 to 20 years.

Because there are limited amounts of the raw material, the SFA said Chinese companies can now only use no more than five tonnes of it every year.

Article at the following link: http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-01/10/content_10636175.htm