A parliamentary bill to bring in “one of the world’s toughest bans on ivory sales“ to protect elephants is being published.

Environment Secretary Michael Gove is publishing the bill, which will introduce a ban on the sale of ivory items of all ages, not just those produced after a certain date.

Making the move, which comes after a consultation showed 88 per cent of the 70,000 responses backed a ban, Mr Gove said the speed with which it was published signalled the UK’s leadership on the issue.

He said: “Elephants are one of the world’s most iconic animals and we must do all we can to protect them for future generations. That’s why we will introduce one of the world’s toughest bans on ivory sales. The overwhelmingly positive response to our consultation shows the strength of public feeling to protect these magnificent animals.

He added: “We have acted quickly in introducing this Bill, less than six weeks after publishing our consultation responses. I hope this serves as a clear sign of our global leadership on this vital issue.”

People found guilty of breaching the ban will face a maximum penalty of an unlimited fine, or up to five years in jail.

Around 20,000 elephants a year are being slaughtered for their ivory, and wildlife campaigners believe reducing global demand for their tusks is an important part of ending the carnage.

Under the terms of the ban there will be certain “narrowly defined and carefully targeted” exemptions to ensure people are not unfairly impacted, officials said.

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Items on this list include those comprised of less than 10 per cent ivory by volume and made prior to 1947, and musical instruments with an ivory content of less than 20 per cent and made prior to 1975.

Rare and important items of their type, which are at least 100 years old, will be assessed for their rarity and importance by specialist institutions before exemption permits are issued.

There will also be a specific exemption for portrait miniatures painted on thin slivers of ivory which are at least a century old.

Sales to and between accredited museums will also be exempt, which applies to museums accredited by Arts Council England, the Welsh Government, Museums and Galleries Scotland or the Northern Ireland Museums Council in the UK, or the International Council of Museums outside the UK.