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Import, export or possession of endangered species without a licence for a commercial purpose attracts the highest penalties under the amended legislation.
Where such an offence involves a highly endangered species, the maximum penalty will be a fine of $5 million and two years' imprisonment. This includes illegal trade in items such as rhino horn, tiger parts, gall bladders and bile from highly endangered species of bear and medicines claiming to contain rhino or tiger ingredients.
Where a less endangered species is involved, the maximum penalty will be $500,000 and one year's imprisonment. This covers animals and plants including their parts and derivatives such as leopard cat, slow loris, owls, some parrots, corals, some wild orchids and some wild American ginseng.
Offences not involving a commercial purpose, but involving a highly endangered species, will attract a maximum penalty of $100,000 and imprisonment for one year. Where such an offence involves a less endangered species, the maximum penalty is $50,000 and six months' imprisonment.
Commenting on the new changes, the Assistant Director (Conservation and Country Parks) of Agriculture and Fisheries, Mr Frank Lau, said: "The substantial increases in penalties reflect the seriousness Hong Kong attaches to such offences.
"We hope this will provide an effective deterrent on people trading illegally in endangered species since they will now stand a greater risk," he said.
Last year, there was a total of 557 successful prosecutions under the Animals and Plants (Protection of Endangered Species) Ordinance, resulting in a total fine of $1.4 million.
End/Friday, January 13, 1995
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