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CITES holds regional enforcement training seminar in HK
A Hong Kong Government-funded regional enforcement training seminar organised by the Secretariat of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) was officially opened by Secretary for Economic Services, Mr Stephen Ip Shu-kwan, today (Monday).
The five-day seminar, part of CITES' effort for training enforcement officers all over the world, has attracted more than 80 participants from 11 south-east Asian countries and territories. It is organised with the assistance of the Agriculture and Fisheries Department (AFD).
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Mr Ip said he was glad that Hong Kong had been able to make a contribution of US$150,000 to the CITES Secretariat, part of which was used to organise the seminar.
Mr Ip noted that CITES had been established as a foundation for international co-operation to protect species of animals and plants threatened by over-exploitation through international trade.
He said Asia was a region where cultural influences, growing affluence and consumerism were taking an unsustainable toll on many species of animals and plants.
"This has created lucrative markets for illegal trade in endangered species. Effective enforcement of the convention has therefore become a particularly demanding, and even more pressing, responsibility throughout the region," he said.
On Hong Kong's effort relating to CITES, Mr Ip said that the territory had implemented a four-point action plan.
Firstly, an Endangered Species Protection Liaison Group was formed to co- ordinate enforcement of the convention and liaison with overseas enforcement agencies and local non-governmental organisations. The group is led by AFD as Hong Kong's CITES Management Authority, with other members from the Customs and Excise Department and Police.
Secondly, Hong Kong increased the maximum penalties under the related legislation for implementing the Convention to a $5 million fine and two years' imprisonment.
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