XN000022-1989-06-16 — Page 9

8

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FRIDAY, JUNE 16, 1989

TEMPORARY SUSPENSION OF IVORY IMPORTS

* *

THE

GOVERNMENT TODAY

A MORATORIUM ON (FRIDAY) ANNOUNCED

AN EFFORT TO PROTECT THE

IMPORTS OF RAW IVORY FROM ALL SOURCES IN AFRICAN ELEPHANT AGAINST A CONTINUED DECLINE IN NUMBERS.

THE NOTICE, PROCESSING OF

THE RAW IVORY INTO THE TERRITORY SPECIES) ENDANGERED

WITH

IMMEDIATE

AND EFFECT

UNTIL

FURTHER

AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT WILL SUSPEND APPLICATIONS FOR A LICENCE TO IMPORT

ANIMALS AND UNDER THE

PLANTS (PROTECTION ORDINANCE.

OF

SAID

IN

DETAILS ANNOUNCING

OF THE SUSPENSION, THE DEPARTMENT'S ASSISTANT DIRECTOR (CONSERVATION AND COUNTRY PARKS), MR K.C. IU, THE STEP

FULL AS PART WAS TAKEN

OF HONG KONG'S CONSERVING ENDANGERED SPECIES, INCLUDING AFRICAN ELEPHANT.

COMMITMENT

TRADERS AND IVORY COMMITTED

"THE MORATORIUM IS APPLICABLE TO ALL IVORY IMPORTERS WITH THE ONLY EXCEPTION OF THOSE WHO HAVE ALREADY TO OR HAVE ENTERED INTO CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATION ANY SPECIFIC SHIPMENT OF RAW IVORY PRIOR TO TODAY'S ANNOUNCEMENT.

"SPECIAL CONSIDERATION

BE MAY

FOR THE PURCHASE OF

GIVEN TO THESE TRADERS OR APPLICATIONS IN RESPECT OF THE IMPORTERS WHO SHOULD SUBMIT SHIPMENTS IN QUESTION BEFORE JULY 1, 1989,

THEIR

I

MR IU SAID.

THE

HE

THE TO QUALIFY FOR

SPECIAL CONSIDERATION,

ADDED, DOCUMENTARY EVIDENCE OF SUCH APPLICATIONS MUST BE SUBSTANTIATED BY COMMITMENT OR CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATION.

SAID MR IU

THE LOCAL IVORY TRADERS CONSULTED AND THEY HAD EXPRESSED THEIR SUPPORT.

ASSOCIATION

HAD BEEN

LATEST MEASURE

IVORY IMPORT WAS THE THE MORATORIUM ON RAW TAKEN BY THE GOVERNMENT IN ENHANCING CONTROL OF THE IVORY TRADE.

BY

COUNTRIES, THE "IN VIEW OF THE ACTION TAKEN BY SOME OVERSEAS GOVERNMENT HAS RECENTLY TAKEN ITS STRICT CONTROL ONE STEP FURTHER INTRODUCING THOROUGH REGISTRATION AND MARKING OF RAW IVORY AND CUT PIECES ACQUIRED BEFORE 1986, MR IU SAID.

"I

LARGE

ALL IVORY STOCKS ACQUIRED AFTER JANUARY 1986 HAVE ALREADY REGISTERED AND MARKED.

BEEN

"IN ADDITION, URGENT ACTION COMPUTER DATA BASE OF ALL REGISTERED IVORY.

"ON THE OPERATIONAL FRONT, A

EARLY THIS MONTH CO-ORDINATION OF SUPPRESS ANY ILLEGAL IVORY IMPORT OR EXPORT

IS

BEING TAKEN TO ESTABLISH A

BY

THE CUSTOMS THE AGRICULTURE

SPECIAL TASK FORCE WAS AND EXCISE

IN DEPARTMENT

DEPARTMENT, AND FISHERIES

THROUGH HONG KONG,

FORMED CLOSE

TO

11

HE

ADDED.

/THE GOVERNMENT