XN000022-1993-12-25+26 — Page 5

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 25, 1993

PUBLIC REMINDED NOT TO BRING IN ENDANGERED SPECIES

MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC VISITING CHINA AND OVERSEAS DURING THE CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR HOLIDAYS ARE REMINDED NOT BACK ANY ENDANGERED SPECIES ON THEIR RETURN TO HONG KONG.

THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT'S SENIOR OFFICER, MR CHAN JEE-KEUNG, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY) :

COUNTRIES

TO BRING

CONSERVATION

HAVE STEPPED

"BOTH THE CUSTOMS AUTHORITIES AND THE DEPARTMENT UP CONTROL AT ALL ENTRY POINTS TO CHECK ON TRAVELLERS AND GOODS VEHICLES DURING THE HOLIDAY PERIOD.

"ANYONE WHO TRIES TO ILLEGALLY BRING IN ANY ENDANGERED SPECIES, INCLUDING LIVE AND STUFFED SPECIMENS AS WELL AS PARTS AND DERIVATIVES, WILL BE PROSECUTED.

H

MR CHAN SAID THERE HAD BEEN 377 SEIZURES IN CONNECTION WITH ILLEGAL IMPORT AND POSSESSION OF ENDANGERED SPECIES IN THE FIRST 11 MONTHS OF THIS YEAR.

THE SEIZURES INVOLVED WERE MAINLY MEDICINE CLAIMING TO CONTAIN RHINO INGREDIENTS, RHINO HORN AND HIDE, IVORY, TIGER PARTS, CROCODILE MEAT, PANGOLIN SCALE, STUFFED SEA TURTLE, SLOW LORIS, FUR SKINS, SNAKE SKINS AND WILD ORCHIDS AND SO ON.

IT IS AN OFFENCE UNDER THE ANIMALS AND PLANTS (PROTECTION OF ENDANGERED SPECIES) ORDINANCE TO IMPORT, EXPORT OR POSSESS ANY ENDANGERED SPECIES WITHOUT THE PRIOR PERMISSION OF THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES.

FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THESE LEGAL RQUIREMENTS MAY RESULT IN A MAXIMUM FINE OF $25,000 ON THE FIRST OFFENCE AND $50,000 PLUS SIX MONTHS' IMPRISONMENT FOR A REPEATED OFFENCE, MR CHAN SAID.

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