UK MP moves to block fossil export to Abu Dhabi — SkimNews
Get the Health newsletter
Daily health & science — research, biotech, public health, the studies worth knowing. Free.
- Edward Morello has called on the government to explore blocking the export of Chris Moore’s fossil collection to allow UK museums time to raise funds for its acquisition.
- Chris Moore’s fossil collection, comprising hundreds of specimens from the Jurassic Coast including rare ichthyosaurs, was sold to the Natural History Museum in Abu Dhabi for an 'eight-figure sum'.
- Lyme Regis Museum was not informed of the sale and expressed concern that important fossils are being lost overseas due to outdated export rules that exclude natural history specimens.
- Existing UK export controls do not cover fossils because they are not considered 'made' objects, meaning no export licence is required for scientifically significant specimens.
- Bridget Houseago and Jonathan Evans advocate for applying the Waverley criteria to exceptional fossils, which would allow temporary export bans and time for UK institutions to fundraise.
- The Natural History Museum in London and Amgueddfa Cymru were offered the collection first but could not afford it, and were required to sign non-disclosure agreements during discussions.
Why it matters: The UK risks permanently losing irreplaceable natural heritage to private sales abroad because current export laws exclude fossils. Without policy changes, even scientifically vital specimens can be exported with no notification to local museums or public institutions that could preserve them in context.
Ask SkimNews
