We have hitherto taken the view that a ban on trade would not be the
best or only way to protect the elephant. If trade were made
illegal, the scarcity value of ivory would cause prices to rise
thereby providing more incentives to poachers. Also the revenue
from legal trade is often used by African countries to improve
measures to conserve their elephants. Without this revenue they
would not be able to do this as effectively. If a proposal to
upgrade the elephant is put to the Conference, we shall need to consider it carefully.
Hong Kong has been criticised widely as a centre for illegal trade
in ivory. They are a party to CITES and are required to implement
its controls. In order to do this more effectively and to remove an
existing loophole, the Hong Kong Government has recently introduced
controls on the import of all forms of worked ivory.
PP
E. Sittugle
JP R Jeffrey
Maritime, Aviation and Environment
Department
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