TNAG-0469-FCO40-534-Legislation-for-protection-of-wild-life-in-Hong-Kong-1974 — Page 34

FISPA

INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY FOR

THE PROTECTION OF ANIMALS

INCORPORATED 1959

HEADQUARTERS

106 JERMYN STREET, LONDON, SW1Y 6EE. ENGLAND

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: TREVOR H. SCOTT, A.M.B.I.M.

W. GERMANY

FIELD REPRESENTATIVE: K, ENNULAT

$300 BONN I

BAUMSCHULALLEE 15

TEL: (02221) 63 12 64

U.S.A.

FIELD OFFICER: JOHN C. WALSH

29 PERKINS STREET

JAMAICA PLAIN, MASS. 02130

TEL: (617) 522 7000

FIELD OFFICES

U.K.

FIELD OFFICER: COLIN PLATT

106 JERMYN STREET

LONDON, SWIY SEE

TEL: 01-839 3066

Our Ref: TIIS/NC/JM

The Minister for Overseas Development, Overseas Development Administration,

Eland House,

Stag Place,

London, S.W.1.

12th June, 1974

14 JUN 1974

Dear Minister,

This Society recently sent a Field Officer to Ilong Kong to enquire into the import of wildlife from China. His report gives reasons for disquiet over the trade for conservation and cruelty reasons. My Society appreciates the economic implications of the trade, but believes early improvement necessary.

Ultimately, the conservation issue appears to be answerable only in China. Further, until Chinese belief in the beneficial properties of certain wildlife meats are superseded by more modern ideas it appears one cannot expect an end to this trade. We believe, however, the cruelties that occur within Hong Kong Colony are matters demanding early attention: Sick and injured wild birds and animals are offered for sale; they are maltreated on dealers premises and suffer extreme cruelty in the manner in which they are killed. Currently, this matter comes within the jurisdiction of the Hong Kong Department of Agriculture and Fisheries. Implementation of effective controls by this Department is an exceedingly difficult matter.

It may be that there is no realistic hope of improvement in this situation until the trade is brought under stricter control. Following his visit my Field Officer feels this could probably be done by appointing a Conservation Officer for Hong Kong. After detailed study it could be his task to recommend essential reform and to promote a long term public education programme to inculcate more enlightened attitudes. This could of course be done in conjunction with non-governmental organisations such as the Hong Kong S.P.C.A. and the Hong Kong Bird Watching Society.

Assuring you of my Society's continuing interest and co- operation in this matter,

I am,

Yours truly,

Alukion

Trevor . Scott Executive Director

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