Enter +134
HKCISL
RECEIVED IN REGISTRY
1990
BRIEFING FOR PRIME MINISTER'S QUESTION TIME: 18 JANUARY
OFFICER
REGISTRY
SIX-MONTH EXEMPTION FOR HONG KONGRE BAN ON TRADE IN IVORY
18
LINE TO TAKE
Nonsense to suggest that decision to enter a Reservation on Hong Kong's behalf is any threat to living elephants or will provide a new outlet for poachers. Hong Kong has already imposed a total ban on imports, which will ensure that there is no loophole for the entry of illegal ivory onto the market and therefore no incentive
for poaching
Makes no sense to attempt to import ivory, illegally, into Hong Kong where there is already a 600 tonne stock of legally-acquired ivory and little or no domestic market
UK and Hong Kong both committed to conservation of the African elephant and CITES; purpose of Reservation entered on 17 January is to allow Hong Kong to dispose of its legally-acquired stock of ivory in an orderly fashion, and to enable ivory carvers and workers to
find alternative employment
Will withdraw Reservation after six months
Hong Kong will not issue export licences to countries whic agreed to the CITES ban.
have
If Raised
-
Ivory held in Hong Kong has been imported legally under CITES procedures
Decision not inconsistent with UK voting at CITES Conference; we voted in favour of Appendix I listing but abstained on behalf of Hong Kong in vote on trade in existing stocks