XN000022-1989-05-31 — Page 14

WEDNESDAY, MAY 31, 1989

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THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS HAD BEEN DRAWN UP CONSULTATION WITH THE ENDANGERED SPECIES ADVISORY COMMITTEE.

IN CLOSE

"WE . HAVE CONSULTED ALSO WITH THE TRADE ASSOCIATIONS REPRESENTING IMPORTERS AND VENDORS OF TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINES.

"THEY HAVE VOICED NO OBJECTION TO THE PROPOSED BAN PROVIDED SUFFICIENT TIME IS GIVEN FOR THE DISPOSAL OF EXISTING STOCK," MR NENDICK SAID.

THE

ADDED.

"WE WILL ENSURE THAT SUFFICIENT ADVANCE NOTICE IS GIVEN BEFORE PROHIBITION ON RHINOCEROS INGREDIENTS COMES INTO OPERATION, HE

DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.

OZONE LAYER PROTECTION BILL 1989 EXPLAINED

THE OZONE LAYER PROTECTION BILL 1989 WAS DRAWN UP то FULFILL HONG KONG'S INTERNATIONAL OBLIGATION UNDER THE MONTREAL PROTOCOL WHICH CALLED FOR A FREEZE AND SUBSEQUENT REDUCTION IN THE PRODUCTION AND CONSUMPTION OF CHLOROFLUOROCARBONS (CFC'S) AND HALONS.

THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS, THE HON KENNETH KWOK, SAID THIS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) WHEN MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL.

"THE OZONE LAYER PROTECTS THE EARTH AND THE SUN'S ULTRA-VIOLET RAYS.

"SINCE THE MID-1970'S, SCIENTISTS HAVE DEPLETION OF THIS PROTECTIVE LAYER, RESULTING WHICH INCLUDE INCREASES IN THE INCIDENCE OF SKIN OF HUMAN IMMUNE RESPONSES AND IMPEDED GROWTH OF KWOK SAID.

ITS INHABITANTS FROM

OBSERVED A GRADUAL IN HARMFUL EFFECTS CANCER, SUPPRESSION LIVING MATTER, MR

TT

"SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH HAS SHOWN THAT DESTRUCTION OF THE OZONE LAYER IS CAUSED BY CFC'S AND HALONS.

PACKAGING,

"CFC'S ARE USED IN REFRIGERATION, AIR CONDITIONING, AND AS SOLVENT AND AEROSOL PROPELLANTS. HALONS ARE USED MAINLY IN FIRE FIGHTING. APART FROM DEPLETING THE OZONE LAYER. CONTRIBUTE SUBSTANTIALLY то THE 'GREENHOUSE EFFECT' WARMING.

CFC'S ALSO ON GLOBAL

MR KWOK SAID THAT IN VIEW OF THE THREAT OF OZONE DEPLETION, THE VIENNA CONVENTION FOR THE PROTECTION OF THE OZONE LAYER HAD DRAWN UP IN 1985 TO PROVIDE AN INTERNATIONAL FRAMEWORK TO ADDRESS PROBLEM.

BEEN

THE

"UNDER THE