XN000022-1986-09-21 — Page 6

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SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 1986

OF THE LAWS RELATING TO THE IMPORT OF ANIMALS, ONE IN COMMON USE IS THE DOGS AND CATS ORDINANCE, UNDER WHICH NO DOG OR CAT MAY BE IMPORTED INTO THE TERRITORY WITHOUT A PERMIT ISSUED IN ADVANCE. DOGS AND CATS FROM MOST COUNTRIES ARE SUBJECT TO SIX MONTHS QUARANTINE ON ARRIVAL.

THERE IS ALSO THE ANIMALS AND PLANTS (PROTECTION OF ENDANGERED SPECIES) ORDINANCE, WHICH REQUIRES PRIOR WRITTEN AUTHORISATION FROM THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT FOR THE IMPORT OF ANY ENDANGERED SPECIES INTO HONG KONG.

CONTROL OF THE IMPORT OF ALL KINDS OF ANIMALS AND BIRDS IS MAINTAINED UNDER THE PUBLIC HEALTH (ANIMALS AND BIRDS) ORDINANCE.

THE SENIOR VETERINARY OFFICER OF THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT, DR NORMAN CHENG, EXPLAINED THAT ANYONE WISHING TO BRING IN AN ANIMAL OR BIRD SHOULD APPLY FOR AN IMPORT PERMIT WELL IN ADVANCE.

+ IT WILL BE FAR TOO LATE TO FILE AN APPLICATION AT AN ENTRY CHECKPOINT BECAUSE APPROVAL CANNOT BE GIVEN ON THE SPOT, AND THE ANIMAL OR BIRD WILL HAVE TO BE CONFISCATED, + HE SAID, ADDING THAT OFFENDERS WOULD BE LIABLE TO PROSECUTION.

AN 11-MEMBER UNIT OF THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR ENFORCING THIS IMPORT CONTROL.

COMPRISING ONE FIELD OFFICER IN CHARGE AND 10 OTHER FIELD STAFF, THE IMPORT CONTROL UNIT IS STATIONED AT HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT WHICH, BECAUSE OF ITS CENTRAL LOCATION, SERVES AS THE OPERATIONAL HEADQUARTERS.

THE UNIT OPERATES ON A SEVEN-DAY WEEK BASIS AND MEMBERS RESPOND TO CALLS FROM CUSTOMS OFFICERS AT VARIOUS CHECKPOINTS TO DEAL WITH ANIMAL AND BIRD IMPORTS - LEGAL AND SUSPECTED ILLEGAL.

IN THE CASE OF A DOG THAT IS LEGALLY IMPORTED, THE FIELD OFFICER WILL CHECK THE RELEVANT DOCUMENTS AND THEN ARRANGE FOR THE ANIMAL TO BE TRANSPORTED TO A GOVERNMENT KENNEL FOR EXAMINATION AND QUARANTINE.

SHOULD AN IMPORTATION LACK THE NECESSARY DOCUMENTS, THE ANIMAL OR BIRD WOULD BE TAKEN FROM THE PERSON CARRYING THE CREATURE, OR RESPONSIBLE FOR IT, PENDING CONFISCATION. PROSECUTION COULD FOLLOW.

ENDANGERED SPECIES THAT ARE CONF ISCATED WILL EITHER BE RELEASED TO THE WILD OR KEPT AT GOVERNMENT KENNELS UNTIL A SUITABLE HOME CAN BE FOUND FOR THEM AS APPROPRIATE. THOSE NOT SUITABLE FOR RELEASE LOCALLY ARE EITHER RETURNED TO THE COUNTRY OF ORIGIN OR ADOPTED BY OVERSEAS BREEDING CENTRES OR ZOOS FOR BREEDING OR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES.

LA CHING

J