35. WHY DID UK ENTER RESERVATION ON BEHALF OF HONG KONG?
On 17 January we entered a six-month reservation on behalf of Hong Kong with respect to the CITES amendment providing for the listing of African elephant on Appendix I of Convention. The Reservation will not apply to United Kingdom and Northern Ireland or to any Dependent Territory other than Hong Kong.
The purpose of the Reservation is to allow Hong Kong traders time to dispose of their legally-acquired ivory in an orderly fashion, and to enable ivory workers and carvers to find alternative employment.
MELACE