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2.
HMG IS GREATLY CONCERNED AT THE THREAT TO VARIOUS SPECIES (PARTICULARLY ELEPHANTS, WHALES AND SEALS) AND IS PLAYING A FULL AND ACTIVE PART IN THE ATTEMPTS BY INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATIONS TO TACKLE THESE PROBLEMS.
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(I) THE AFRICAN ELEPHANT: THE UK HAS INTRODUCED A BAN ON ALL IMPORTS OF IVORY (FROM 9 JUNE) AND IS PRESSING FOR GREATER PROTECTION OF THE AFRICAN ELEPHANT THROUGH ACTION UNDER CITIES (THE CONVENTION ON INTERNATIONAL TRADE IN ENDANGERED SPECIES).
(II) WHALES: THE UK STRONGLY SUPPORTS THE INTERNATIONAL WHALING COMMISSION MORATORIUM ON ALL COMMERCIAL WHALING. WE OPPOSE THE KILLING OF WHALES FOR SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH WHERE THIS WOULD ENDANGER STOCKS OR WHERE THE OBJECTIVES OF THE RESEARCH COULD BE ACHIEVED BY OTHER MEANS.
(III) SEALS: THE UK FULLY SUPPORTS THE EC BAN ON HARP AND HOODED SEAL PUP SKINS AND PRODUCTS.
ADDITIONAL POINTS (IF RAISED)
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THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT STRICTLY ADHERES TO THE CONSERVATION AND ENFORCEMENT MEASURES ON IVORY CALLED FOR BY CITES AND RECENTLY STOPPED ISSUING IMPORT LICENCES FOR RAW IVORY PENDING THE OUTCOME OF THE CITES MEETING IN OCTOBER 1989.
BACKGROUND
INTERNATIONAL FRAMEWORK
5.
CITES IS THE MAIN INTERNATIONAL INSTRUMENT FOR THE PROTECTION OF ENDANGERED SPECIES (A LIST OF SIGNATORIES IS CONTAINED IN PART TWO). THE CONVENTION MONITORS AND CONTROLS INTERNATIONAL TRADE IN CERTAIN LIVE ANIMALS AND PLANTS AND IN GOODS MADE FROM THEM. SPECIES ARE LISTED IN THREE APPENDICES TO THE CONVENTION ACCORDING TO THE DEGREE OF PROTECTION AFFORDED. HIGHLY ENDANGERED SPECIES ARE LISTED IN APPENDIX I AND LESS ENDANGERED SPECIES IN APPENDICES II AND III.
6.
THE UK WAS ONE OF THE ORIGINAL SIGNATORIES TO THE CONVENTION
THE UK IN 1973 AND THERE ARE NOW A TOTAL OF 101 PARTIES. IMPLEMENTS THE CONVENTION'S PROVISIONS UNDER EC REGULATIONS 3626/82 AND 3418/83 WHICH IN SOME CASES PROVIDE EVEN GREATER PROTECTION FOR CERTAIN SPECIES THAN IS GIVEN UNDER CITES.
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