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Dr So reiterated that any person importing, exporting or possessing any endangered species, including their parts and derivatives, without a licence issued by AFD, would have contravened the Animals and Plants (Protection of Endangered Species) Ordinance. This control measure also applies to travellers.
Under the ordinance, any person found guilty of importing a highly endangered species item without a licence is liable to a maximum fine of $100,000 and one year's imprisonment. If the import is for a commercial purpose, the maximum fine will be a $5 million fine plus two years in jail.
Highly endangered species include rhinos, tiger, most species of bear, all sea turtles and medicines containing or claiming to contain rhino or tiger ingredients.
Dr So said in the first four months of this year, a total of 114 seizures were made under the ordinance by AFD, resulting in 113 prosecutions, with fines totalling $423,200.
End/Thursday, June 15, 1995
Tung Wah Group of Hospitals directors visit SWD
The new Board of Directors of the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals (TWGH) today (Thursday) paid a courtesy call on the Director of Social Welfare, Mr Ian Strachan, and discussed with him the future development of welfare services of the
group...
Praising the TWGH for its contribution to the community, Mr Strachan said his department would continue to render assistance and support to the group.
The chairman of the new Board of Directors, Mr Willie Lui Pok-shek, said apart from upgrading its existing services, TWGH would direct attention towards expanding its scope of services to cater for the needs of various sectors of the community.
"In view of the immense local needs for elderly and rehabilitation services, we will put more attention and efforts on the development of these two service areas in future," Mr Lui said.
End/Thursday, June 15, 1995