text: "Mammoth ivory can be used as a cover for the illegal ivory trade and the consumption of mammoth products can stimulate demand in African elephant ivory products," Hofford said, adding the chain's decision was still a commendable first step".
  Already a member of CITES, China has been hinting it could take a harder line on elephant ivory. It participated in last month's London Conference on the Illegal Wildlife Trade, which urged a tougher stance on the ivory trade.
  The suspension applies to all ten of the company's stores in Hong Kong and China, though the six stores in mainland China do not currently sell ivory, she said. (Editing by Tom Heneghan)