committed to the conservation of endangered species and to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). We would not have entered the Reservation if we believed that by doing so we were putting at risk the future of the African elephant.
Hong Kong will comply in full with the ban on all international commercial trade in ivory introduced by the Convention on 18 January. Hong Kong has traditionally been a major ivory trading centre and has large stocks of legally-acquired ivory. The Reservation, which we entered on 18 January, is designed to give the territory a reasonable period in which to adjust to the ban by allowing traders to dispose of these stocks in an orderly fashion and enabling the 3,000 carvers and workers to find alternative employment. The Reservation is for six months only and will not be reviewed. Hong Kong has already imposed a ban on all imports of ivory, which will ensure that there is no loophole for the entry of illegal ivory on to the market.
The Hong Kong Government are enacting legislation to ensure that the CITES ban is in force when we withdraw the Reservation on 18 July 1990. The legislative process is well on schedule. A draft enacting bill was approved by the Executive Council on 20 March and was introduced into the Legislative Council on 4 April. The legislation will come into force when our Reservation expires.
The Hong Kong Government have taken various measures to deter illegal trading and to enhance controls over existing stocks. A special Customs task force has been created to investigate and suppress any illegal trade through Hong Kong and maximum fines for violating legislation on endangered species have been increased five-fold, accompanied by confiscation of illegal consignments.
Stocks of ivory already in Hong Kong are registered, and since 12 January possession licences have been required for all commercial ivory and personal effects in excess of 5 kg.
Movement of ivory between dealers is recorded and their records of the stock holdings are adjusted accordingly. No ivory can leave Hong Kong without an export licence, and no licences are issued for exports to countries which have implemented the CITES ban.
Allowing Hong Kong to continue to trade its
legally-acquired ivory for a limited period should not