ivory.
However, they have introduced the following measures to combat
illegal trading. On 5 August 1988 Hong Kong extended its import licence
controls to cover all forms of ivory. On 9 June they announced support
for a ban on new import licences for raw ivory, pending the outcome of
the CITES conference. They have established a special Customs Task
Force to investigate and suppress the illegal import and export of ivory.
through Hong Kong. They are also completing the registration and
marking of all raw ivory and large cut pieces legally imported before
January 1986 (since which date all imports have been registered and
marked on arrival).
5. In her letter of 23 May to Mr Soames MP, Mrs Kent calls for a total
ban on ivory trade, with countries whose legal trade is affected being
compensated through a specially created UNEP fund. Zimbabwe, for
example, undertakes an annual cull based on assessment by the Department
of National Parks as to how many elephants (and other species) need to
be culled to safeguard the environment. (The intention is to keep a
proper balance not, as Mrs Kent suggests, to obtain income from the sale
of ivory). We are not willing to compensate such countries. Several
African Governments have called for a ban in ivory trading, and although
they may suffer financial losses in the short-term, in the long-term
this must be balanced again potential losses in tourist income if the
elephant population continues to decline.
6. The assistance we currently give for conservation of elephants is
limited. We are most actively involved in Kenya: we are funding a
wildlife adviser and two game wardens in the Wildlife Department; one of
the game wardens acts as the co-ordinator of the Kenya Rhino Rescue
Project. The UK (MoD) has also provided 19 British Army Bedford lorries
for use in anti-poaching activities. We are discussing with the Kenyan Government a project to provide the Wildlife Department with spares, VHF radios and landrovers together with workshop tools and spares for a vehicle repair programme.