TNAG-0469-FCO40-534-Legislation-for-protection-of-wild-life-in-Hong-Kong-1974 — Page 163

and south of China to which they migrate, Yet the Hong Kong Government has been content to accept the situation at the request of local Chinese commercial interests (i. e. Communist trading companies). The Government has not only failed to raise the matter with Peking through London, but has even amended its laws to

accommodate the trade. The British Government appears to have taken no interest in this anomalous situation, nor tried to correct it,

Britain is now a signatory to the 1973 Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora initiated by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature. Hong Kong claims it will follow, but such assertions and local legislation are valueless without China's co-operation which Hong Kong civil servants admit

has not been invited.

Cruelty.

Extreme suffering is inevitably caused to animals while this trade continues at trapping, in transit, in the Hong Kong shops, and during slaughter. Most arrive in Hong Kong with severe injuries. Birdu and maminin are commonly killed by fumornion in boiling water, or by having boiling water poured over them. There are

convincing roports that monkey brain in utili caton in the traditional

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way that is, out of the head of the live animal. Legislation against

cruelty exists, but while the trade persists it is virtually unenforceable, The Hong Kong Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals considers the matter 'politically sensitive' and up till the summer of 1973 had refused to take a public stand on the matter (Fatricia Fenn is not aware of any subsequent change in this policy). The Society is well subsidized by the Hong Kong Government. Anxious not to lose this money, it takes its cue from the authorities and directs its attention

to collection of strays, and the running of pet clinics.

Health Hazards,

Wild carnivores enter Hong Kong unchecked and

puolential em el of indent and

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Spread by vildlife in captivity. Health comitob. la..

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the Hong Long Government as too costly and too inconvement for the trade which was legalised by the Hong Kong Government just as the British Veterinary Association imposed stringent quarantine controls on animal imports to Britain.

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