An MP calls for UK fossil export controls

An MP has called on ministers to update export rules to protect significant fossils. The move comes after one of the top fossil collections in the UK was sold overseas. The collection was gathered from beaches along the Jurassic Coast in Dorset.

A media investigation revealed that the collection contained hundreds of rare specimens, including ichthyosaurs. It was sold to the Natural History Museum in Abu Dhabi for an eight-figure sum. The fossils belonged to private collector Chris Moore. They were first offered to major museums in London and Wales, but neither had enough money to purchase them.

Leaders at Lyme Regis Museum expressed strong concern about the situation. They stated they were not informed about the sale and were not given a chance to buy the items. Museum leaders noted that the collection is among the best private sets of Lower Lias fossils in Dorset.

The issue stems from current cultural goods export controls in the UK. These rules are designed to keep items of outstanding national importance in the country. However, the existing rules do not cover fossils or natural history items because they are not man-made objects. As a result, rare and scientifically important fossils can be legally exported without an export license.

Local museum officials said they knew about the collection and understood that the owner might sell it eventually. However, they had no idea that an active sale was underway. They confirmed that no government agency or museum reached out to ask if local sites wanted to acquire any of the items.

The original investigation noted that the London and Wales museums had to sign non-disclosure agreements during the talks. There is no indication that the sale broke any current laws or regulations. In fact, local codes of conduct emphasize that collecting fossils is vital to save them from sea erosion.

However, many private collectors are aging, which means more major collections will soon need new homes. Experts want fossils of high scientific value to fall under national treasure criteria. Meeting these benchmarks would allow the government to place a temporary export bar on rare items. This pause would give local museums time to raise the funds needed to buy the fossils and keep them in the country.