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create a threat to living elephants because imports are already banned. It would make no sense to try to import ivory illegally into Hong Kong where there is already a large stock of legal ivory, a small domestic market and few export outlets.
While we cannot rule out the possibility that
unscrupulous traders might try to move ivory illegally into or out of Hong Kong, we are confident that the Hong Kong authorities have in place effective machinery to intercept illegal consignments of ivory. Furthermore, as Sir Geoffrey Howe made clear in the House of Commons on 22 February, if there is any evidence of complicity by Hong Kong traders in illegal trading in ivory, we will investigate it thoroughly. No such evidence has as yet been produced.
These thorough and comprehensive measures are clear and reassuring evidence of the Hong Kong Government's firm intention to adhere fully to CITES.
Francis Maude