L. Wotton, Esq.
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18th December, 1974
On 19th June, ISPA received a copy letter from the Hong Kong Conservancy Association addressed to the Department of Agriculture. It stated that Chen had issued another Price List dated May 30th, offering these Salamanders for sale, and indicating that two sizes were in stock. Photocopies of this document were supplied to the Department.
The Conservation Association had also requested an enquiry into this dealer's activities and objected to him being considered for a licence. ISPA endorsed this view in a letter to the Department of Agriculture dated 21st June.
The Department replied to the Association on 21st June that Chen had been made aware of the regulations, and that there was no reasonable cause to believe he was in possession of scheduled animals liable to seizure, and that consideration was being given to the issue of a licence. The Association disputed this, giving
reasons.
ISPA, on 9th July, also drew the Department of Agriculture's attention to the fact that Chen was advertising a species of Serpentes listed in Schedule 1 of the Convention.
Following ISPA's request for a reply on the licence issue dated 15th August, the Department answered that Chen's company had been approved for the issue of a licence, and stated that the Salamanders, after taking legal advice, were legitimately obtained. On the 26th October the Department informed ISPA that Chen was issued with the licence on 8th October.
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From this lengthy correspondence it emerges:-
The Department recognises ISPA's views on the omitted species of Serpentes, and states they will be dealt with ultimately. In the meantime, aware these species are in need of protection, the Department permits Chen to advertise them.
The Department have had occasion in the past to enquire into Chen's activities with contradictory results. For the Department to contend Chen has been made aware of the law regarding Salamanders savours of cynicism, as it is also, to say he has been made to delete the species from a catalogue already issued. ISPA's Field Officer told them in June this trader already knew in March the Salamanders were a protected species and that Chen not only knew, but was willing to use wildlife trade routes abroad designed to circumvent protection laws. The Department noted this information but showed no inclination to consider it. The issue of the licence to Chen appears to confirm the Departments disregard of information from responsible international sources.
./Continued
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