TNAG-0469-FCO40-534-Legislation-for-protection-of-wild-life-in-Hong-Kong-1974 — Page 36

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importation of threatened species listed in Appendix 1 to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. As for other potentially endangered species, such as those in Appendix II of the Convention, the decision on whether they were in fact endangered would be, under the Convention, with the Chinese Government. Our Ambassador in Peking has therefore raised the problem with the Chinese authorities. The Chinese Government already pay great attention to the protection of their own wildlife resources, and they have now undertaken to look into this question.

There is the further problem of the condition of the animals and birds when imported, and their treatment within Hong Kong. The Hong Kong Government have enacted Regulations which impose strict control over the trade in live animals and birds and which lay down strict standards which will have to be met before any licence is issued to traders. These requirements include high standards of animal housing, management and feeding and the segregation of sick, vicious or incompatible animals and birds whilst they are in a trader's care. Hawking of animals and birds is also now illegal. I enclose a copy of the Code of Conduct issued under these Regulations.

All this should improve considerably the conditions under which such animals are kept. The Hong Kong Government intend to enforce the regulations strictly and have recently instituted daly inspections of the main traders to ensure that the physical state of the imported animals is satisfactory and that the conditions in which they are kept are up to standard. The Government are also increasing their direct effort to inspect restaurant premises to detect and prevent cruelty to animals.

The effectiveness of any measures in this field will of course

/depend,