RESTRICTED
50
126715
MDHIAN 6382
RESTRICTED
FM HONG KONG
TO DESKBY 25100OZ FCO
TELNO 1707
OF 250915Z MAY 89
(44
HKCISI/1
YOUR TELNO 1109: WRITTEN PQ: IVORY TRADE
·
COP
TO Q DIST?
1 FURTHER TO OUR TELNO 1687, THE INFORMATION REQUIRED BY PARAGRAPH
3 OF TUR:
48
(I) THE IMPORT AND EXPORT OF ENDANGERED SPECIES, INCLUDING THEIR READILY RECOGNISABLE PARTS AND DERIVATIVES, ARE SUBJECT TO STRICT CONTROL UNDER THE ANIMALS AND PLANTS (PROTECTION OF ENDANGERED SPECIES) ORDINANCE, CAP. 187, THE LOCAL LEGISLATION WHICH GIVES EFFECT TO CITES. UNDER THE ORDINANCE, IT IS AN OFFENCE TO IMPORT OR EXPORT ENDANGERED SPECIES OR THEIR PARTS AND DERIVATIVES LISTED ON THE SCHEDULES EXCEPT UNDER A LICENCE ISSUED BY THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES (DAF). THE SCHEDULES WERE UPDATED IN AUGUST
1988 TO KEEP THEM IN LINE WITH THE CURRENT CITES APPENDICES. THE
LEGISLATIVE AMENDMENTS TO ENHANCE ENFORCEMENT AND TO CONTROL THE
TRADE IN MEDICINES CLAIMING TO CONTAIN RHINOCEROS INGREDIENTS WILL BE SUBMITTED TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON 31. MAY 1989.
(II) THE NUMBER OF SHOPS/FACTORIES/RESTAURANTS INSPECTIONS MADE TO ENFORCE THE LEGISLATION AND SEIZURE MADE DURING INSPECTION IN THE
PAST FEW YEARS:
NO. OF INSPECTIONS
1987
1988
1989 (UPTO 21. 5.89)
80
1,121
429
NO. OF SEIZURE RESULTED
14
25
19
(III) + (V) IN A FREE PORT, SOME ILLEGAL CARGOES WILL INEVITABLY SLIP THROUGH THE NET. ON THE BASIS OF SEIZURES AND SUCH INTELLIGE- NCE AS WE ARE ABLE TO GATHER, WE BELIEVE THAT THE LEVEL OF ILLEGAL TRADE ON ENDANGERED SPECIES IS NOT SERIOUS. ALTHOUGH THERE ARE SOME 300 TO 400 SEIZURES ANNUALLLY, MAJORITY OF THE CASES INVOLVE HONG KONG RESIDENTS RETURNING FROM VISITS TO OVERSEAS COUNTRIES OR
TOURISTS PASSING THROUGH HONG KONG AND IMPORTING THE SPECIMENS AS SOUVENIERS, TONIC CUISINE OR PETS. THESE SEIZED SPECIMENS INCLUDE BIRDS OF PREY, PARROTS, PANGOLINES, MONKEYS, FUR SKINS, STUFFED SEATURTLES AND CROCODILES, IVORY, GIANT SALAMANDERS, ASIATIC
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