An MP calls on the UK government to block or restrict the export of major fossil collections, arguing that some should be treated as “national treasures” after a high-profile sale overseas. The dispute follows reporting that a major assemblage from the Jurassic Coast—found along Dorset beaches—was sold to the Natural History Museum in Abu Dhabi.
The outlets describe the collection as exceptional and widely significant, including hundreds of specimens such as ichthyosaurs. A source cited in the coverage characterizes the deal as a “loss to the nation,” and reports it was worth an eight-figure sum. In response, the MP says ministers should change export-control rules so that prominent fossils can be flagged for stronger protection and remain available within the UK.
While the reporting focuses on the sale and the perceived gap in current protections, the specific policy mechanism and whether an outright ban is sought are presented as part of the MP’s call for new or revised controls rather than as an already enacted change.
