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SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 1978
POSSESSION LICENCE FOR AFRICAN IVORY EXEMPTED
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DEALERS IN AFRICAN IVORY IN HONG KONG HAVE BEEN EXEMPTED FROM HOLDING A POSSESSION LICENCE UNDER NEW REGULATIONS ANNOUNCED IN THE LATEST ISSUE OF THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE.
THE ORDER WAS MADE UNDER THE ANIMALS AND PLANTS (PROTECTION OF ENDANGERED SPECIES) EXEMPTION ORDER 1978.
HOWEVER, ACCORDING TO THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT PERMITS ARE STILL REQUIRED FOR THE IMPORT AND EXPORT OF ELEPHANT TUSKS FROM AFRICA OR ANY OTHER COUNTRY.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID THE EXEMPTION ORDER APPLIES ONLY TO POSSESSION OF AFRICAN IVORY AND FOR THE IMPORT, EXPORT OR POSSESSION OF ANY SPECIMEN LISTED UNDER THE ANIMALS AND PLANTS (PROTECTION OF ENDANGERED SPECIES) ORDINANCE FOR HERBARIUM, MUSEUM OR FOR SCIENTIFIC OR EDUCATIONAL STUDY.
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HE SAID THAT THE EXEMPTION ORDER IN RELATION TO AFRICAN IVORY WAS INTRODUCED BECAUSE OF THE SIZE, NATURE AND COMPLEXITY OF THE IVORY INDUSTRY IN HONG KONG.
HE ADDED THAT WHEN THE ORDINANCE, WHICH CAME IN LINE WITH THE WASHINGTON CONVENTION OF ENDANGERED SPECIES IN JUNE LAST, THERE WAS A +GRACE PERIOD OF THREE MONTHS FOR TRADERS TO MEET THE REQUIREMENTS.
+THIS PERIOD HAS NOW LAPSED, HE SAID, AND PROSECUTION WILL BE INITIATED AGAINST ANY OFFENDERS IMPORTING, EXPORTING OR POSSESSING ANY OF THE PROTECTED SPECIES UNDER THE ORDINANCE.+
HE ADVISED ANIMAL TRADERS TO BE FULLY ACQUAINTED WITH THE LISTED SPECIES WHICH INCLUDE PARTS AND DERIVATIVES.
+ IN PARTICULAR, MONKEYS ARE NOW SCHEDULED AS WELL AS THE RAW SKINS OF ALL CROCODILES, ALLIGATORS AND CARMANS AND THE RAW SKINS OF MANY SPECIES OF SNAKES AND LIZARDS.
+UNDER THE ORDINACE CERTAIN PLANTS AND PARTS ALSO REQUIRE IMPORT, EXPORT AND POSSESSION LICENCES. THE LIST, IN THE THIRD SCHEDULE, INCLUDES ALL SPECIES OF ORCHIDS AS WELL AS CERTAIN CACTI, EUPHORBIAN AND PALMS, HE SAID.
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