CITES.
with
The
recently and took the opportunity to discuss the situation
Wldlife experts there. As a result, he announced on 23 May the
Government's view that there was now Ä case for transferring the
African elephant from Appendix II to Appendix I of
Government appreciates, however, that this a complex matter which
involves many difficult issues such as the fate of existing legal
These issues will be discussed at the next
The UK will
to all the arguments and play a full Part in
stocks of ivory,
Conference
listen
of the
Parties to CITES in October,
carefully
discussions.
representatives of the Hong Kong ivory trade
attending the meeting of the African
In the meantime,
will, I understand,
be
Elephant Working Group in Botswana from 4-7 July and will have an
opportunity to
argue their case there.
The Conference of the
Parties will doubtless give careful consideration to the results
of this meeting and to the views expressed there by trading
interests.
is
Turning to the recent ban on the import Of ivory into the
European Community, the Government believes that this measure
necessary to minimise the threat to the elephant, whilst a long
term strategy for its future survival, which is a matter for the
Conference, is worked out.
I hope that you will find the above information helpful
2