XN000022-1986-03-13 — Page 17

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THURSDAY, MARCH 13, 1986

A TOTAL OF 10 000 COPIES OF THE TWO REPORTS WILL BE DISTRIBUTED TO GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS, SOCIAL ORGANISATIONS, SCHOOLS AND THE MEDIA.

ALSO TAKING PART IN TODAY'S PRESS CONFERENCE WERE CHAIRMAN, FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION SUB-COMMITTEE, MR J.P. LEE, AND CHAIRMAN, PUBLICITY AND PUBLIC RELATIONS SUB-COMMITTEE, MR HOWARD YOUNG.

PUBLIC REMINDED TO GET LICENCE FOR ENDANGERED SPECIES

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THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT TODAY (THURSDAY) REMINDED THE PUBLIC IN POSSESSION OF CERTAIN ENDANGERED SPECIES OF ANIMALS AND PLANTS TO OBTAIN A VALID LICENCE FROM THE DEPARTMENT BEFORE MARCH 20,

THESE SPECIES, LISTED UNDER THE ANIMALS AND PLANTS (PROTECTION OF ENDANGERED SPECIES) (AMENDMENT OF SCHEDULES) ORDER 1985, INCLUSE OWLS, FLAMINGOS, WHALES, DOLPHINS, PORPOISES, RORQUALS, BLACK CORALS, PARROTS AND RELATED BIRDS EXCEPT BUDGERIGARS, COCKATIELS AND ROSE-RINGED PARAKEETS.

THEY ALSO INCLUDE THE WHOLE, PARTS AND DERIVATIVES OF THESE ANIMALS AS WELL AS SIX SPECIES OF PITCHER PLANT.

A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THE DECEMBER 1985 AMENDMENT ORDER WAS TO AFFECT LICENSING CONTROL ON THESE ENDANGERED SPECIES IN LINE WITH THE UPDATED LIST OF THE CONVENTION ON INTERNATIONAL TRADE IN ENDANGERED SPECIES OF WILD FAUNA AND FLORA (CITES).

+THE AMENDMENT ORDER REQUIRES OWNERS OF THE NEWLY SCHEDULED SPECIES ACQUIRED BEFORE DECEMBER 20, 1985 TO APPLY AND OBTAIN A POSSESSION LICENCE FROM THIS DEPARTMENT BEFORE MARCH 20,+ HE SAID.

HOWEVER, HE ADDED, THE AMENDMENT ORDER PROVIDED FOR AN EXEMPTION IN RESPECT OF PARROTS KEPT IN HONG KONG AS PETS BUT THE EXEMPTION DID NOT APPLY TO BIRD TRADERS AND ANYONE WHO POSSESSED PARROTS FOR COMMERCIAL PURPOSES.

THE SPOKESMAN CAUTIONED THAT POSSESSION OF SCHEDULED SPECIES OR THEIR PARTS AND DERIVATIVES WITHOUT A LICENCE WAS AN OFFENCE.

+APART FROM FORFEITURE OF THE SPECIES, OFFENDERS ARE LIABLE TO A MAXIMUM FINE OF $5 000 FOR A FIRST OFFENCE, AND $10 000 AND SIX MONTHS' IMPRISONMENT FOR A REPEATED OFFENCE,+ HE SAID.

ENQUIRIES ABOUT APPLICATION PROCEDURES FOR POSSESSION LICENCES IN RESPECT OF THE LISTED SPECIES COULD BE MADE AT THE DEPARTMENT'S FAUNA CONSERVATION SECTION ON 3-7332123.

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