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The Tories have quietly scrapped their plans for a total ban on the bloodthirsty ivory trade in the UK.

In a move likely to enrage conservationists, the Conservative manifesto for the 2017 general election makes no mention of the ivory trade.

But David Cameron won power just two years ago after promising to "press for a total ban on ivory sales".

One elephant in Africa is slaughtered every 15 minutes for its tusks and a third of the population has been wiped out over the last decade.

Prince William has backed calls for a ban on ivory sales, saying he is “not prepared to be part of a generation that lets these iconic species disappear from the wild”.

(Image: PA)

Environment Secretary Andrea Leadsom launched plans last September to make all ivory goods carved after 1947 illegal - a move that stopped short of a complete ban.

Critics claimed this shift was down to lobbying by the powerful and wealthy antique dealing industry.

And there is no commitment on ivory at all in the new Conservative manifesto unveiled on Thursday - but the document does contain a pledge to have a vote on bringing back fox hunting.

(Image: Reuters)

Tory politician Lady Victoria Borwick, president of the British Antique Dealers’ Association, previously called for antique ivory goods to be exempt from any ban.

She told fellow MPs in a debate last December: "Any ban on antique ivory is cultural vandalism, virtually akin to placing a ban on old books because they may be made from paper that came originally from now-endangered trees or antique furniture made from mahogany.”

(Image: Getty)

But wildlife campaigners claim paperwork can easily be forged and ivory can be made to look older than it actually is - so a total ban is the only way to end the brutal trade.

The UK is a global hub for the ivory trade, making up 31% of all ivory sales in Europe.

And 1,165 pieces of illegal ivory were seized at UK airports and ports in between 2009 and 2014.

Currently, ivory goods carved after 1947 can be bought and sold legally in the UK if they are accompanied by a government-issued certificate. 'Raw', uncarved ivory - such as whole elephant tusks - is completely banned.

Labour's 2017 manifesto supports a "total ban on ivory trading", while the Lib Dems promise to "tackle illegal and unsustainable trade in timber, wildlife, ivory and fish".