FRIDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1994
WAS BANNED IN HONG KONG BUT THE INCREASING RARITY OF THE ANIMALS
INCREASES THE PRICE OF THESE COMMODITIES AND HENCE THE TEMPTATION TRADE ILLEGALLY IN THEM.
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THE CURRENT PENALTIES ARE NEGLIGIBLE COMPARED TO THE POTENTIAL PROFITS FROM ILLEGAL TRADE, SO SUBSTANTIAL INCREASES IN PENALTIES ARE NEEDED TO PROVIDE A MEANINGFUL DETERRENT, HE SAID.
THE SHARP INCREASES SHOULD MAKE IT CLEAR TO PEOPLE PREPARED ΤΟ RISK TRADING ILLEGALLY IN ENDANGERED SPECIES THAT HONG KONG IS DETERMINED TO ENFORCE ITS ENDANGERED SPECIES LEGISLATION AND PUSH FOR HEAVY PENALTIES FOR OFFENDERS, MR JOHNSON SAID.
THE BILL ALSO PROPOSES THAT THE MAXIMUM FINES FOR FURNISHING FALSE INFORMATION WHEN APPLYING FOR A LICENCE AND FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH VARIOUS LICENSING REQUIREMENTS SHOULD BE INCREASED TENFOLD ΤΟ $100,000.
THE MAXIMUM PENALTY FOR OBSTRUCTION OF AN AUTHORISED OFFICER IN CONDUCTING ENFORCEMENT OPERATIONS IS SET TO INCREASE FROM $10,000 AND IMPRISONMENT FOR SIX MONTHS TO $100,000 AND IMPRISONMENT FOR ONE YEAR.
HOPES THAT THE PROPOSALS WILL BECOME LAW BY
THE GOVERNMENT
EARLY 1995.
NOTES TO EDITORS:
"HIGHLY ENDANGERED SPECIES" ARE THOSE LISTED IN THE SIXTH SCHEDULE TO THE ANIMALS AND PLANTS (PROTECTION OF ENDANGERED SPECIES) ORDINANCE, SUCH AS GORILLAS, ORANG-UTANS, CHIMPANZEES, GIANT PANDAS, BEARS, LEOPARDS, TIGERS, ELEPHANTS, RHINOCEROSES, PEREGRINE FALCONS, MACAWS, COCKATOOS, SEA TURTLES, GIANT SALAMANDERS, ASIATIC BONY TONGUE FISH AND SOME SPECIES OF CACTI AND ORCHIDS.
"LESS ENDANGERED SPECIES" MEANS ALL OTHER ANIMALS, ANIMAL PARTS AND PLANTS SCHEDULED UNDER THE ORDINANCE AND INCLUDES MANY SPECIES OF,
FOR EXAMPLE, MONKEYS, WILD CATS, SEALS, DEER, EAGLES, HAWKS, PHEASANTS, OWLS, LAND TORTOISES, LIZARDS, PYTHONS, CORALS, PANGOLINS, ORCHIDS AND AMERICAN GINSENG.
'COMMERCIAL PURPOSE" IS DEFINED IN CLAUSE 12 OF THE BILL. BRIEFLY, IT MEANS ANY PURPOSE RELATING TO TRADE OR BUSINESS OR THE TRADING FOR GAIN OF A SCHEDULED SPECIES (THAT IS THOSE LISTED UNDER THE ORDINANCE) OR A CONTROLLED MEDICINE (THAT IS MEDICINES CLAIMING TO CONTAIN RHINO OR TIGER INGREDIENTS).
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/5.