XN000022-1986-04-15 — Page 4

TUESDAY, APRIL 15, 1986

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TWO COMPETITIVE NEED LEVELS WERE PROVIDED FOR, EACH BASED ON ABSOLUTE VALUE OF IMPORTS OR SHARE OF IMPORTS ACHIEVED BY A BENEFICIARY FOR ANY PRODUCT.

THE REVIEW ALSO PROVIDED FOR WAIVER OF COMPETITIVE NEED LEVELS WHERE APPROPRIATE IN RESPECT OF CERTAIN PRODUCTS FROM CERTAIN BENEFICIARIES.

J

IN CONSIDERING COMPETITIVE NEED LEVELS THREE FACTORS HAVE TO BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT: THE GENERAL LEVEL OF DEVELOPMENT OF EACH BENEFICIARY, INCLUDING PER CAPITA GNP, LIVING STANDARDS AND OTHER FACTORS, TRADE PRACTICES, INCLUDING MARKET ACCESS, INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS, TRADE-DISTORTING INVESTMENT PRACTICES, BARRIERS TO TRADE IN SERVICES, WORKERS RIGHTS, THE SPECIFIC PRODUCT COMPETITIVENESS OF THE BENEFICIARY, INCLUDING SHARE OF U.S. IMPORTS, SHARE OF U.S. CONSUMPTION AND PRICE COMPETITIVENESS.

IN CONSIDERING WAIVER OF COMPETITIVE NEED LEVELS THE EXTENT TO WHICH THE BENEFICIARY'S MARKET IS OPEN TO U.S. EXPORTS AND INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY PROTECTION MUST ALSO BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT.

THE EXACT DATES FOR THE VISIT WERE NOT YET FINALISED. MR FOOTMAN SAID THAT HONG KONG HAS MADE VARIOUS SUBMISSIONS UNDER THE REVIEW MAKING PROPOSALS FOR WAIVER OF COMPETITIVE NEED LEVELS, EXPLAINING HONG KONG'S GOOD TRADE PRACTICES AND OPEN MARKET, AND REACTING TO POINTS PUT FORWARD BY OTHER PARTIES.

DURING THE VISIT BY THE AMERICAN TEAM IT IS EXPECTED THAT HONG KONG'S SUBMISSIONS, AND SUBMISSIONS MADE BY OTHER INTERESTED PARTIES, WOULD BE DISCUSSED.

THE RESULT OF THE REVIEW WOULD BE MADE PUBLIC BY THE UNITED STATES IN JANUARY 1987.

WARNING ON IMPORT OF ENDANGERED SPECIES

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THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT TODAY (TUESDAY) WARNED THAT IMPORTATION OR POSSESSION OF ANY ENDANGERED ANIMALS AND PLANTS WITHOUT A VALID PERMIT ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT IS AN OFFENCE IN LAW, PUNISHABLE WITH HEAVY FINES AND IMPRISONMENT.

A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SOUNDED THE WARNING FOLLOWING THREE RECENT CASES HEARD AT FANLING MAGISTRACY, IN WHICH THREE MEN WERE FINED A TOTAL OF $6 830 FOR ILLEGALLY IMPORTING AND POSSESSING ENDANGERED ANIMALS BIRDS AND FISH, AND FOR CRUELTY TO THEM.

/THE ANIMALS,