8
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FRIDAY, JUNE 16, 1989
TEMPORARY SUSPENSION OF IVORY IMPORTS
* *
THE
GOVERNMENT TODAY
A MORATORIUM ON (FRIDAY) ANNOUNCED
AN EFFORT TO PROTECT THE
IMPORTS OF RAW IVORY FROM ALL SOURCES IN AFRICAN ELEPHANT AGAINST A CONTINUED DECLINE IN NUMBERS.
THE NOTICE, PROCESSING OF
THE RAW IVORY INTO THE TERRITORY SPECIES) ENDANGERED
WITH
IMMEDIATE
AND EFFECT
UNTIL
FURTHER
AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT WILL SUSPEND APPLICATIONS FOR A LICENCE TO IMPORT
ANIMALS AND UNDER THE
PLANTS (PROTECTION ORDINANCE.
OF
SAID
IN
DETAILS ANNOUNCING
OF THE SUSPENSION, THE DEPARTMENT'S ASSISTANT DIRECTOR (CONSERVATION AND COUNTRY PARKS), MR K.C. IU, THE STEP
FULL AS PART WAS TAKEN
OF HONG KONG'S CONSERVING ENDANGERED SPECIES, INCLUDING AFRICAN ELEPHANT.
COMMITMENT
TRADERS AND IVORY COMMITTED
"THE MORATORIUM IS APPLICABLE TO ALL IVORY IMPORTERS WITH THE ONLY EXCEPTION OF THOSE WHO HAVE ALREADY TO OR HAVE ENTERED INTO CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATION ANY SPECIFIC SHIPMENT OF RAW IVORY PRIOR TO TODAY'S ANNOUNCEMENT.
"SPECIAL CONSIDERATION
BE MAY
FOR THE PURCHASE OF
GIVEN TO THESE TRADERS OR APPLICATIONS IN RESPECT OF THE IMPORTERS WHO SHOULD SUBMIT SHIPMENTS IN QUESTION BEFORE JULY 1, 1989,
THEIR
I
MR IU SAID.
THE
HE
THE TO QUALIFY FOR
SPECIAL CONSIDERATION,
ADDED, DOCUMENTARY EVIDENCE OF SUCH APPLICATIONS MUST BE SUBSTANTIATED BY COMMITMENT OR CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATION.
SAID MR IU
THE LOCAL IVORY TRADERS CONSULTED AND THEY HAD EXPRESSED THEIR SUPPORT.
ASSOCIATION
HAD BEEN
LATEST MEASURE
IVORY IMPORT WAS THE THE MORATORIUM ON RAW TAKEN BY THE GOVERNMENT IN ENHANCING CONTROL OF THE IVORY TRADE.
BY
COUNTRIES, THE "IN VIEW OF THE ACTION TAKEN BY SOME OVERSEAS GOVERNMENT HAS RECENTLY TAKEN ITS STRICT CONTROL ONE STEP FURTHER INTRODUCING THOROUGH REGISTRATION AND MARKING OF RAW IVORY AND CUT PIECES ACQUIRED BEFORE 1986, MR IU SAID.
"I
LARGE
ALL IVORY STOCKS ACQUIRED AFTER JANUARY 1986 HAVE ALREADY REGISTERED AND MARKED.
BEEN
"IN ADDITION, URGENT ACTION COMPUTER DATA BASE OF ALL REGISTERED IVORY.
"ON THE OPERATIONAL FRONT, A
EARLY THIS MONTH CO-ORDINATION OF SUPPRESS ANY ILLEGAL IVORY IMPORT OR EXPORT
IS
BEING TAKEN TO ESTABLISH A
BY
THE CUSTOMS THE AGRICULTURE
SPECIAL TASK FORCE WAS AND EXCISE
IN DEPARTMENT
DEPARTMENT, AND FISHERIES
THROUGH HONG KONG,
FORMED CLOSE
TO
11
HE
ADDED.
/THE GOVERNMENT