XN000022-1994-11-16 — Page 41

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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1994

FIGHT AGAINST ENDANGERED SPECIES TRADE

* *

FOLLOWING

IS A QUESTION BY THE HON PETER WONG HONG-YUEN AND A IN THE BY THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, MR GORDON SIU, LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY):

REPLY

QUESTION: IN

REGARD TO ENDANGERED

DEPARTMENT AND THE CURRENT ENFORCEMENT TAKEN BY VARIOUS AGENCIES

THE CURB ON THE SALE OF SPECIES FOR MEDICAL AND HEALTH PURPOSES, THE ADMINISTRATION INFORM THIS COUNCIL OF THE PROGRESS MADE AGRICULTURE AND THE FAUNA CONSERVATION SECTION OF THE BY FISHERIES

ANIMALS PARTS

OF

WILL

MEASURES

REPLY:

MR PRESIDENT,

THE ANIMALS AND

SPECIES)

ANY SPECIES, EXCEPT OF

PLANTS (PROTECTION OF ENDANGERED ORDINANCE PROVIDES THAT NO PERSON SHALL. IMPORT, EXPORT OR POSSESS SCHEDULED SPECIES, OR PARTS AND DERIVATIVES OF SUCH UNDER AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH A LICENCE ISSUED BY AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES.

APPLY ᎢᏳ

THE PRODUCTS

DIRECTOR THE

SOME OF

HIGHLY IN PRACTICE, NO

SPECIAL PROVISIONS ENDANGERED SPECIES SUCH AS RHINOCEROSES AND TIGERS. LICENCES ARE ISSUED FOR THE IMPORT, EXPORT OR POSSESSION OF MEDICINES TIGER INGREDIENTS. CONTAINING, OR CLAIMING TO CONTAIN RHINOCEROS OR THE EFFECT IS TO BAN THESE ITEMS FROM INTERNATIONAL TRADE AND DOMESTIC

SALE.

POSSESSION

FROM

THE ORDINANCE ALSO CONTROLS THE IMPORT, EXPORT AND OF BEAR GALL BLADDER, BEAR BILE AND BEAR BILE POWDER ORIGINATING ANY SPECIES OF BEAR.

AGRICULTURE AND THE

ENFORCEMENT OF THESE CONTROLS IS UNDERTAKEN BY THE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT, THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE FORCE.

ENFORCEMENT TEAM

THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT'S

то CARRIES OUT UNDERCOVER CHECKS

MEDICINE SHOPS OF TRADITIONAL

CUSTOMS ITEMS.

AND SUPPRESS AND DETER THE ILLEGAL SALE OF BANNED

EXIT. EXCISE OFFICERS CHECK SHIPMENTS AT VARIOUS POINTS OF ENTRY AND

POSSIBLE ORGANISED THE ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE FORCE INVESTIGATE ANY

THEY PARTICIPATE CRIME THAT MIGHT BE INVOLVED IN SUCH ILLEGAL TRADE, IN

FISHERIES WITH

AND THE AGRICULTURE OPERATIONS PROVIDE ASSISTANCE IN INVESTIGATIVE TECHNIQUES.

DEPARTMENT

ALL

AND

THE ENFORCEMENT EFFORT IS CO-ORDINATED BY AN ENDANGERED SPECIES

CONSISTING

OF OF LIAISON GROUP

MEMBERS

THREE HAS DIRECTED A DURING THE PAST 12 MONTHS, THE GROUP VIGOROUS PROGRAMME OF OVER 3,300 INSPECTIONS OF TRADITIONAL

INDER SUCH

PROTECTION

DEPARTMENTS.

SHOPS. 387

SHOPS HAVE

RESULTING IN 230 PROSECUTIONS.

BEEN RAIDED

SEARCH

MEDICINE WARRANTS,

/I BELIEVE