TNAG-1953-FCO40-2782-Trade-of-rare-and-endangered-species-in-Hong-Kong-1989 — Page 83

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

London SW1A 2AH

PA

From The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State

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23 May 1989

R52415

Miss Massen Mr For 12415

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In my letter to you of 18 May about the African elephant and trade in ivory, (which reflected the views of my colleagues at

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the Department of the Environment, who take the lead in Whitehall on this issue), I explained that the Government had hitherto taken the view that a ban on trade in ivory would not be the best way to protect the elephant. I added, however, that we would consider any proposal to introduce such a ban very carefully.

The Government have been particularly concerned about this issue and, given the growing weight of evidence about the decline in the population of the African elephant, my colleagues at the Department of the Environment initiated an urgent review. Lord Caithness also had discussions with the Kenyan Government and wildlife experts in Nairobi last week. As a result, the Government have concluded that we will be justified in seeking to list the species on Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species in Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). This would have the effect of banning trade in new elephant tusks.

I am sure you will be pleased to know of this development and I enclose a statement issued this morning by Lord Caithness setting out the Government's position.

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Jeremy Corbyn Esq MP House of Commons

London

SW1A OAA

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Tim Eggar

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Lord President's Office

H of C

PS/Lord Caithness

PS/Mrs Bottomley

Dept of Environment PS/Lord Glenarthur AKD