PJYAJC (5)
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MORE EFFECTIVE ACTION IS NEEDED NOW
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In response to recent concern, Hong Kong Government have:
set up Special Task Force to investigate those suspected
of being involved in or connected with illegal ivory trade.
extended registration of existing ivory stocks to cover ivory held before 1986. All stocks since 1986 are already
registered.
instituted a review of enforcement practices, with
particular regard to detecting shipments of illegal ivory.
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FINES IMPOSED ON THOSE BREAKING THE LAW IN HONG KONG TOO LOW
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Hong Kong recently amended their existing legislation to increase level of fines imposed on those convicted of illegal trading five-fold. Maximum penalty for illegal import or export of ivory is HK$50,000 (£4,000) and imprisonment for 2 years.
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Illegally smuggled goods are always forfeited upon conviction
of trafficker and goods disposed of by the Hong Kong Government.
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WHAT ABOUT GOODS IN TRANS IT?
Powers of Customs officers to stop, board and search vessels
suspected of carrying a scheduled species have now been extended to cover shipments in transit.
RELATIVELY EASY FOR THOSE WHO WISH TO SMUGGLE IVORY TO SLIP IT PAST
THE CONTROLS IMPOSED BY THE HONG KONG AUTHORITIES?
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net.
Difficult to be absolutely sure that nothing slips through the
But the Hong Kong Government attach great importance to
enforcing their controls. They do not believe that significant
quantities of ivory are imported illegally into Hong Kong.