MP Urges UK to Classify Rare Fossils as National Treasures

Liberal Democrat MP Edward Morello is urging the UK government to update export controls to classify significant fossils as national treasures. The request follows the sale of a major collection of Jurassic Coast fossils, including ichthyosaurs, from private collector Chris Moore to the Natural History Museum in Abu Dhabi for an estimated eight-figure sum. The collection was previously offered to the Natural History Museum in London and Amgueddfa Cymru, but neither institution could afford the purchase.

Bridget Houseago, director of the Lyme Regis Museum, and Dr. Jonathan Evans, chair of trustees, argue that current cultural goods export controls do not cover natural history items because they are not manufactured objects. This loophole allows rare fossils to be sold overseas without a license. They are calling for fossils to be subject to the Waverley criteria, which would allow temporary export bars to give UK museums time to raise necessary funds.

Morello has written to Minister Fiona Twycross to ask if the government can delay the export of the Moore collection to provide UK museums a final opportunity to acquire it. Morello stated that natural history is as important as cultural history and should be preserved for the nation.