XN000022-1994-09-26 — Page 17

16

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 1994

"HONG KONG MAY SERVE AS AN EXEMPLAR OF COMPREHENSIVE DOMESTIC LEGISLATION WITH APPLICATION TO THE CONTROL OF TIGER-BONE TRADE WITHIN A CONSUMER STATE: NOT ONLY TRADE IN, BUT POSSESSION OF TIGER-BONE PRODUCTS, EVEN IF UNPROVEN AS SUCH, IS AGAINST THE LAW," THE REPORT SAID.

COMMENTING ON THE REPORT, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT (AFD) MR FRANK LAU TODAY (MONDAY) SAID HE WAS PLEASED THAT HONG KONG'S EFFORT HAD BEEN RECOGNISED.

MR LAU SAID HONG KONG WAS FULLY COMMITTED TO STAMPING OUT ANY FORM OF ILLEGAL TRADE IN CONNECTION WITH TIGER PRODUCTS.

"IN JANUARY THIS YEAR, THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXTENDED ITS LICENSING CONTROL ON THE IMPORT, EXPORT AND POSSESSION OF ENDANGERED SPECIES TO COVER MEDICINES CONTAINING OR CLAIMING TO CONTAIN TIGER INGREDIENTS, HE SAID.

t

"THE MEASURE TO CONTROL POSSESSION IS STRICTER THAN THE REQUIREMENT OF THE CONVENTION ON INTERNATIONAL TRADE IN ENDANGERED SPECIES OF WILD FAUNA AND FLORA (CITES) WHICH ONLY REQUESTS MEMBER COUNTRIES TO IMPOSE CONTROL OVER THE IMPORT AND EXPORT OF ENDANGERED SPECIES.

BETWEEN JANUARY AND AUGUST THIS YEAR, SOME 1,756 SHOPS HAD BEEN INSPECTED BY AFD OFFICERS, WITH SEIZURES OF ALLEGED TIGER BONES AND ALLEGED TIGER-BASED MEDICINE FROM 15 OF THEM.

THE CUSTOMS ALSO INTERCEPTED 109 CASES OF ILLEGAL IMPORTS OF TIGER PRODUCTS.

AS A RESULT OF THESE OPERATIONS, 2.89 KILOGRAMS OF ITEMS CLAIMED TO BE TIGER-BONE, AND 19,012 PACKAGES OF MEDICINES AND 34 BOTTLES OF WINE CLAIMING TO CONTAIN TIGER INGREDIENTS WERE SEIZED.

HOWEVER, MR LAU STRESSED THAT THERE WAS NO ROOM FOR

COMPLACENCY.

"CONTINUED LAW ENFORCEMENT EFFORTS WILL BE MADE BY OUR DEPARTMENT TO CURB THE ILLEGAL SALE OF TIGER PARTS AND PRODUCTS AT OUR SHOPS.

"THE INTERDEPARTMENTAL ENDANGERED SPECIES PROTECTION LIAISON GROUP COMPRISING AFD, POLICE AND CUSTOMS REPRESENTATIVES WILL CONTINUE THEIR EFFORTS TO IMPROVE THE ENFORCEMENT OF CONTROLS OF SUCH ILLICIT TRADE."

THAT

AT THE CONSUMER END, AFD WOULD CONTINUE TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC ANY USE OF TIGER PRODUCTS WOULD THREATEN TIGERS WITH IMMINENT EXTINCTION IN THE WILD, MR LAU SAID.

IN FACT, THERE WAS A CHANCE THAT MEDICINE CLAIMING TO CONTAIN TIGER INGREDIENTS DID NOT CONTAIN SUCH SUBSTANCES, HE ADDED.

ACCORDING TO TRAFFIC INTERNATIONAL'S REPORT, THERE ARE ONLY 5,000 TO 7,400 TIGERS REMAINING IN THE WILD.