PJYAJC (4)
ACTION BY HONG KONG GOVERNMENT
6
WILL HONG KONG SUPPORT AN IMMEDIATE BAN?
Peren
Hong Kong Government are urgently reviewing their position in
light of concern expressed internationally about fate of African
elephant. On basis of that review, Hong Kong Government will decide
whether to support calls for a total ban on trade in ivory.
7
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT SHOULD TIGHTEN CONTROLS ON TRADE IN IVORY
Controls on trade in ivory already very strict. It is an
offence, punishable by fine or imprisonment, to import raw or worked ivory except under licence.
All applications for import/export licences are examined very
carefully to ensure that only ivory from a CITES approved source is
licensed.
8 HOW EFFECTIVE ARE CURRENT CONTROLS?
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On arrival in Hong Kong, shipments are checked by Hong Kong Customs authorities to ensure they are accompanied by the necessary CITES documentation and that the consignment of ivory
matches details given in the documents.
In case of doubt, consignment is detained pending further
investigation and clarification with CITES Secretariat.
In 1988, Hong Kong's Agriculture and Fisheries Department
processed 635 applications for ivory imports and exports. Each
application verified with CITES Secretariat. All but 16 cases were
found to be in conformity with CITES requirements. Prosecutions
were taken out in respect of these 16 cases and the 800 kgs of ivory
involved were confiscated.