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Mr David
HKD
K 245
Reference.......
by Enter
HONG KONG AND THE WASHINGTON CONVENTION
1.
We spoke about Mr Nichols' letter of 11 February.
Under
2. As I mentioned, the one substantive comment I have on the letter is that it is not clear what instructions the Hong Kong Customs authorities have for checking on documentation from The People's Republic of China in respect of imports of endangered species. the Convention, any species that appears on Appendix II must have suitable export documentation from the country of origin before it can be imported. Species on Appendix I are more or less prohibited from entering commercial trade and can only be imported with both an export and import licence. Normally such imports would be for scientific purposes. It is imports of these species which worries me. The RSPB have already mentioned in their recent report on Airborne Birds that certain species of birds on Appendix I of the Convention are being imported into Hong Kong from the People's Republic of China. In the circumstances, I would suggest that in your reply to Mr Nichols, you include a paragraph on the following lines:
"It is none too clear from your letter as to what instructions the Hong Kong Customs authorities have for verifying export documentation from the People's Republic of China for imports of endangered species. As you are aware, all species that appear on Appendix II of the Convention require export docu- mentation before they can be legally imported by a party state to the Washington Convention. Commercial trade in Appendix I species is of course prohibited except in very special circumstances. An import as well as an export licence is required for such species. We would be grateful to learn how the mechanism for controlling Appendix I species functions in Hong Kong. Appendix II species are no so important but it would be also useful for us to have an idea on how controls work for these species as well."
2 March 1977
CODE 19 - 77
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W Hara
Science and Technology Department G 120/1
233 3833