1989-06-16 17:28 ESK AS
Dear Sir,
652 5 868 4679 P.93
16th June 1989
Tvory Trade in Hong Kong
I understand that there is to be an EC CITES meeting on 22 June 1989, during which the subject of the ivory trade will be discussed. I would like to take thia opportunity to advise you of the position of Hong Kong as Leyards this trade and to seek your suppoLL, as signatuLY to the Convention on behalf of Hong Kong, in bringing our unique position to the attention of the meeting.
2.
As you know, Hong Kong Government is committed to the conservation of endangered species of fauna and flora. Our obligations under the convention are fully backed by legislation which is rigorously enforced.
3.
In view of the concern expressed in the international community regarding the decline of African elephant population, Hong Kong Government supports the proposed upgrading of this species from CITES Appendix TT to Appendix I. We have made this decision on the understanding that trade in existing, legal stocks would continue to be permitted and that the trade ban would be restricted to new ivory only.
(Note: We have just been advised by the CITES Secretariat that their interpretation is that upgrading of the species to Appendix I will not permit the trading of the existing legal stock. If this is co, Hong Kong may need to review its position.)
Our special concorn, in Hong Kong ic that it should be recognised that Hong Kong is in a unique position with regard to the ivory trade. We are one of the major contros for the ivory trado. Virtually all of the ivory imported is re-exported after carving. We have considerable stocks of ivory obtained legally from CITES Approved sources and had legally in Hong Kong. As such our position is that trade in these existing stocks must continue to be allowed because
(a)
these stocks have been acquired in strict compliance with CITES Ivory Control Procedures. A substantial proportion has been imported from B.C. countries. (Belgium alone exported 79.2 tonnes of raw ivory to Hong Kong in 1987 and 1988). ban on reimports would, even though Hong Kong has played things very strictly by the book, could cause considerable financial loss to both individuals and companies.
A