XN000022-1989-07-08 — Page 14

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SATURDAY, JULY 8, 1989

IVORY TRADERS REMINDED TO REPORT STOCKS

IVORY TRADERS WERE TODAY (SATURDAY) REMINDED THAT THEY SHOULD REPORT THE IVORY STOCKS IN THEIR POSSESSION BY MONDAY, JULY 10, IN SUPPORT OF A REGISTRATION EXERCISE CONDUCTED BY THE GOVERNMENT.

SHOULD ANY TRADER EXPERIENCE DIFFICULTIES IN MEETING THE DEADLINE, HE SHOULD CONTACT THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT'S FAUNA CONSERVATION SECTION ON 3-7332123 OR 3-7332124 WITHOUT DELAY.

THE EXERCISE WAS BEING CARRIED OUT TO REGISTER ALL IVORY STOCKS, INCLUDING RAW AND WORKED IVORY, IN THE TERRITORY ΤΟ ENABLE THE GOVERNMENT TO MONITOR THE EXISTING IVORY STOCKS AND THEIR TRADE MORE EFFECTIVELY.

AS PART OF THE REGISTRATION PROCESS, ALL IVORY STOCKS AND LARGE CUT PIECES WILL BE MARKED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE IVORY CONTROL PROCEDURE LAID DOWN BY THE CONVENTION ON INTERNATIONAL TRADE IN ENDANGERED SPECIES OF WILD FAUNA AND FLORA (CITES).

THE DEPARTMENT'S ACTING SENIOR CONSERVATION OFFICER, MR MARTIN LEUNG, SAID THAT ABOUT 200 RETURNS HAD BEEN RECEIVED SINCE CIRCULARS WERE SENT TO ALL IVORY TRADERS TWO WEEKS AGO AND MORE WERE EXPECTED TO ARRIVE BEFORE THE DEADLINE.

"PHYSICAL INSPECTIONS OF IVORY STOCKS HELD BY TRADERS WHO HAVE ALREADY SUBMITTED THEIR RETURNS WILL START ON MONDAY," MR LEUNG SAID.

"AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION, DETAILS OF THE MARKINGS REQUIRED FOR INDIVIDUAL TRADERS.

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DEPARTMENT STAFF WILL PROVIDE THE TUSKS AND CUT PIECES ΤΟ

THE REGISTRATION EXERCISE WAS AMONG A SERIES OF MEASURES DESIGNED BY THE GOVERNMENT TO ENHANCE CONTROL ON THE IVORY TRADE. THESE MEASURES INCLUDED A MORATORIUM ON IMPORTS OF RAW IVORY UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE, AND THE SETTING UP A COMPUTER DATA BASE FOR ALL REGISTERED IVORY.

LAND IN NORTH DISTRICT TO RE RESUMED

THE GOVERNMENT 19 TO RESUME LAND IN THE NORTH DISTRICT TO ALLOW FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF PYLONS TO CARRY 400 KILOVOLT OVERHEAD TRANSMISSION LINES FROM TAI PO TO SHA TAU KOK BORDER AND FROM YUEN LONG TO TA KWU LING BORDER.

THE LAND TO BE RESUMED COMPRISES THREE PRIVATE AGRICULTURAL LOTS WITH A TOTAL AREA OF ABOUT 2,748.4 SQUARE METRES.

DETAILS OF THE RESUMPTION HAVE BEEN PUBLISHED IN THE LATEST EDITION OF THE GAZETTE.

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