From The Minister of State
SENT
10 Nolo
for INFO
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
London SW1A 2AH
Simon Lyster Esq
Worldwide Fund for Nature
Panda House
Catteshall Lane
Godalming
SURREY GU7 1XR
6 August 1990 -RnK ты Meshen, нко, то
Mr
Dear he Lysta.
Thank you for your letter of 16 July to Douglas Hurd in which you suggest a number of measures for preventing illegal trade in ivory in Hong Kong. You wrote in identical terms to the Prime Minister and I am also replying on her behalf.
I understand the concern you expressed about a potential loophole in Hong Kong's legislation which would allow tourists to export ivory weighing less than five kilos as personal effects. I am sure you will be pleased to know that this loophole has now been closed. The Hong Kong legislation which came into effect when our reservation was withdrawn on 18 July fully reflects the provisions of the CITES Convention.
Second, you suggested that ivory traders in Hong Kong should be required to keep their ivory stocks in a bonded warehouse. As the ivory concerned is private property and has been legally acquired, it is difficult to see how such a requirement could be justified, or indeed policed.
Finally, you proposed that the 2.5 tonnes of ivory currently held as confiscated stock by the Hong Kong Government should be destroyed. The Hong Kong Government are already fully committed to the strict enforcement of the CITES regulations, and whatever method of disposal is ultimately chosen, you may rest assured that it will be in accordance with the
Convention.
Yours sincerely
Чето
LYNDA CHALKER
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