OF E DRA 2 TG
6.13.1989 16:13
PSQ/
189
P.
2
I fully understand and share your constituent's concern about the conservation of the African elephant. As you are no doubt aware, Malcolm Caithness announced on Tuesday 23 May the Government's view that there was now a case for the transfer of the African elephant from Appendix II to Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), This view was shared by our European Colleagues at the Environment Council Meeting on 8-9 June.
Furthermore, Malcolm was successful in securing at the same meeting, support for the UK's proposal for an immediate ban on the import into the Community of raw and worked ivory. This ban will take effect in the UK immediately.
The aim of the ban is to minimise the threat to the elephant while a long term strategy for its future survival is worked out. This will be a matter for the meeting of the conference of the Parties to CITES to consider, and the UK will play a part in these discussions.
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We are aware of concern about the control of the ivory trade in Hong Kong. In mos matters the Hong Kong Government exercise a high degree of autonomy. This includes trade in endangered species and they apply CITES controls through their own specific legislation. We have been in touch with the Hong Kong authorities about the Grantment's decision to ban trade in ivory and the reasons for it. Hong Kong Fiment share our concern and have announced that they will support Chi the upgrading of the African elephant to Appendix of CITES.
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Hong Kong strictly adheres to all of theservation and enforcement measures called for by CITES and recently strengthened its controls on the import of worked ivory. The only ivory which may legally be imported into Hong Kong at present in that which comes from a CITES approved source and is subject to the issue of a licence, Eros
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officy