Foreign and Commonwealth Office London SW1
M DA Clinton Esq CMG GM Deputy Colonial Secretary HONG KONG
Dew Mike,
A
127)
REF.
Telephone 01-
Your reference
Our reference
HKK 7/1
Date
3 July 1974
42
ALLEGED CRUELTY TO DOGS IN HONG KONG
1.
Not
With his letter HKK 7/1 of 27 June Bruce Dinwiddy sent you a copy of an article which appeared in "The People" on 23 June. I enclose a further copy for ease of reference. surprisingly, I fear, we have now received several letters about the article, including in particular one addressed to the Secretary of State from the Animal Welfare Trust. I enclose a copy.
2.
You have already sent us a considerable amount of background information about the measures you are taking to improve the conditions and standards governing the trade in live animals and birds (see Hong Kong tels. nos. 86, 208, and 31 Saving). know, we asked for this material to enable us to reply to numerous letters from MPs and members of the public that we received following the broadcast of a BBC programme on the importation of wildlife from China for human consumption.
3.
This information provides us with a basis for a general answer to the letters about dogs. However, the Animal Welfare Trust make the specific proposal of an appeal to raise money for inspectors to live and work in Hong Kong. We would propose to say in reply that we think this is unnecessary and indeed might be counter-productive as the Hong Kong Government already lay down strict standards and carry out regular inspections of restaurants and traders' premises. Any further pressure would probably only succeed in driving the trade underground. We would also point out that the Hong Kong Government cannot dictate to their people what they should or should not eat, and that they cannot count on the full support of local public opinion in implementing laws which appear to be based on essentially western concepts. The appointment of inspectors by a voluntary organisation in Britain would probably be resented by people in Hong Kong.
4.
I should be grateful if you would let us know, perhaps by telegram, if you agree with this line of approach. Any further material which you think might be useful in reply to the Animal Welfare Trust would also be welcome.
Your
ever
ست لا
R B Crowson
Hong Kong & Indian Ocean Dept.
་