XN000022-1989-05-31 — Page 13

WEDNESDAY, MAY 31, 1989

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THAT WHILST THE COMPANY MAY CONTINUE TO FIX ITS OWN FARES, MONTHLY TICKETS WILL CONTINUE TO BE ISSUED ΤΟ REGULAR COMMUTERS AT A CHARGE NOT EXCEEDING 25 TIMES THE STANDARD ADULT SINGLE JOURNEY FARE; AND

THE AUTHORITY OF THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL UNDER THE ORDINANCE TO APPROVE THE TECHNICAL MATTERS OF THE TRAMWAY WILL BE DELEGATED TO THE SCERETARY FOR TRANSPORT.

DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.

TRADE BAN ON MEDICINES CONTAINING RHINOCEROS INGREDIENTS PROPOSED

THE GOVERNMENT PROPOSES TO BAN TRADE IN MEDICINES CONTAINING RHINOCEROS DERIVATIVES OR INGREDIENTS, TIGHTEN CONTROL ON TRADE IN ENDANGERED SPECIES IN GENERAL, AND INCREASE THE MAXIMUM FINE ΤΟ PROVIDE THE NECESSARY DETERRENT, THE ACTING FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON DAVID NENDICK, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY),

IN INTRODUCING THE ANIMALS AND PLANTS (PROTECTION OF ENDANGERED SPECIES) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1989 FOR A SECOND READING, MR NENDICK SAID EXISTING LEGISLATION PROVIDED FOR THE CONTROL OF TRADE IN LIVE SPECIMENS AND READILY RECOGNISABLE PARTS AND DERIVATIVES.

"IT DOES NOT, HOWEVER, ADEQUATELY COVER RHINOCEROS OR INGREDIENTS IN CERTAIN CHINESE MEDICINES," HE SAID.

DERIVATIVES

OF

MR NENDICK POINTED OUT THAT THE ANIMALS AND PLANTS ENDANGERED SPECIES) ORDINANCE AND ITS SCHEDULES WERE

1976,

IN

(PROTECTION ENACTED IN GIVING EFFECT TO THE 1973 CONVENTION ON INTERNATIONAL TRADE ENDANGERED SPECIES OF WILD FAUNA AND FLORA (CITES), TO WHICH HONG KONG WAS A PARTY THROUGH RATIFICATION BY THE UNITED KINGDOM.

HE SAID IT WAS THEREFORE NECESSARY TO TAKE ACTION TO TRADE IN MEDICINES CONTAINING RHINOCEROS INGREDIENTS IN COMPLY WITH THE OBLIGATIONS UNDER CITES.

PROHIBIT ORDER

ΤΟ

"IN ADDITION, THE BILL SEEKS TO INTRODUCE ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS ON TRANSIT, IDENTIFICATION OF SPECIMENS, POWERS OF SEARCH, FORFEITURE AND DISPOSAL OF LIVE AND PERISHABLE SPECIMENS IN ORDER TO FACILITATE THE ENFORCEMENT OF THE ORDINANCE, MR NENDICK SAID.

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"THE BILL ALSO INTRODUCES NEW FINES OF $10,000 FOR GIVING FALSE INFORMATION TO OBTAIN A LICENCE AND MAKING FALSE CLAIMS IN RESPECT OF SCHEDULED SPECIES AND CONTROLLED MEDICINE AS A DETERRENT, HE EXPLAINED.

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"AS TO THE EXISTING FINES, WHICH WERE FIXED IN 1976, THE DILL SEEKS TO INCREASE THEM FIVEFOLD TO RESTORR THEIR DETERRENT EFFECT, HE ADDED.

THE PROPOSED