TREAT OFFICIALLY
15 JAN1974
Et. Fon. Geoffrey Rinon,
.P.,
Secretary of State for the Envirohmert
15, Fill Close,
Charlbury,
Oxford,
0X7 3SY
12th December, 1974
PMCK
2. ansham Street,
London, SW1P 332
Dear Sir,
REF.
Gs 1625 1123
I am writing to you concerning a Bill prohibiting the import of endangered species and their products which is due for its second reading on 21st
aus, 1974.
I m extremely concerned at the ever increasing pressure on wildlife
and it has been shown in the IUCN Red Data Took that there is a yearly nett
increase in the number of animals severely threatned. In view of this I feel that Britain should show an example to less enlightened countries
end pass this Bill and also ratify et an early date the IUNC Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of wild fauna and flora.
With reference to the later point. I hope that the British Government
will do everything in its power to rersuade Hong Kong and China to sign
the ebore Convention es the traffic in live animal and birds for food
between these countries is deplorable. Potentially endangered species
on Appendix 2 including pangolins and leopards are exported to Hong Kong; for food and on Appendix 1 animals include tigers and cranes. It is estimated by reliable sources also that 10,000 birds of prey and owls are slaughtered every winter in this manner many of these birds are on migration from the Arctic to New Zealand and are trapped by Chinese
If this peasants to sell to Hong Kong to supplement their incomes. slaughter continues, these birds may well become extinct in a few years.
As the financial return to China for these exports is extremely low, and the cruelty involved and danger of extinction extremely high, I hope that the British Government will raise this matter with China and Hong Kong and use all her good offices to persuade them to become signatories of the International Convention on Trade in Endangered Species.
PSCY REGISTRY
recu/vr. 19
FILE No. Hell No.
Yours faithfully,
L. Spice (Mrs.),