Re: Trading fossils illegal in Italy?

From
Date
>>3. The restrictions are cumbersome - but the system does work. It is
>>quite possible to export material that is not of significant
>>scientific value. Export of specimens which potentially may be made
>>types of new species is definitely out - these should be lodged in a
>>suitable local museum.
>
>I can't answer for the former but as for the latter, I definitely agree to an
>extent. If (God forbid) a landowner finds what turns out to be a type
>specimen but no museum in his own country can or will pay his price, he has
>the right to sell it to whomever he pleases.  MUCH AS I DISLIKE THAT THOUGHT!
>In the past I have made it plain that I disdain so called fossil dealers who
>plow through and tresspass property to get one or two good fossils for huge
>profit. I DO NOT have a problem with those who work with scientists and act
>responsibly. But there are grey areas and we need to find a solution.
>
>I can never condone a Big Brother approach to fossil collecting and selling.
>We must endeavor to strike the best possible balance between individual
>rights, public rights and scientific rights. A too heavy a hand in favor of
>one or the other will only encourage more " illicit"  behavior by those who
>get the short end. IMHO
>

Balancing individual rights and state responsibilities need not be caste as
Big Brother impossing a faceless,  indescriminent will. Yes, individuals
should have the right to own, trade and deal in fossils, but there is a
collective responsibility to ensure that rare, unique or scientifically
important specimens are acquired by the State and held in public ownership
for the benefit of all. Blanket protection of fossils, as has occurred in
Queensland or Alberta, may aim to do this, but fails in reality because
they have not been thought through. Probably the best model it that of
Baden-Wurtemburg where important fossils are automatically the property of
the State _and_ a fund has been established to pay for them. Otherwise the
ownership of the specimen reverts to the finder. A more detailed account of
this is provided by

Wild, R. 1988. The protection of fossils and palaeontological sites in the
Federal Republic of Germany. Special Papers in Palaeontology 40:181-189.

Cheers, Paul

pwillis@ozemail.com.au