TNAG-1953-FCO40-2782-Trade-of-rare-and-endangered-species-in-Hong-Kong-1989 — Page 85

RESTRICTED

44

121706

MDHOAN 1821

RESTRICTED

FM FCO

TO IMMEDIATE HONG KONG

TELNO 1109

OF 231606Z MAY 89

HKC 151/1

TOP COPY

Q DIST ?

О

OUR TELNOS 1082, 1083 AND 1066 AND YOUR TELNOS 1625 AND 1652:

HONG KONG AND THE IVORY TRADEY

1.

+43

THANK YOU FOR THE INFORMATION IN FIFTH TUR. THE DRAFT STATEMENT IN SECOND TUR HAS BEEN AMENDED AS SUGGESTED IN YOUR PARA 2. IT WILL BE ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF THE ENVIRONMENT

ON 23 MAY.

2.

IN THE LIGHT OF HMG'S IMPENDING CHANGE OF POLICY WE WILL NOW

ALSO NEED TO AMEND THE DRAFT REPLY IN PARA 3 OF OUR THIRD TUR.

WE SUGGEST THAT THIS SHOULD NOW READ QUOTE THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT TAKE VERY SERIOUSLY THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES AS A PARTY TO THE CONVENTION ON INTERNATIONAL TRADE IN ENDANGERED SPECIES

(CITES). THEY HAVE ALWAYS COMPLIED FULLY WITH THE PROVISIONS OF

THE CONVENTION AND HONG KONG HAS STRICT LEGISLATIVE CONTROL OVER THE IMPORT AND EXPORT OF IVORY. THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT HAVE HITHERTO TAKEN THE VIEW THAT THERE IS NO CLEAR EVIDENCE THAT A

BAN ON TRADE IN IVORY WOULD STOP THE DEMAND FOR IVORY PRODUCTS AND THUS THE SLAUGHTER OF ELEPHANTS. IN THE LIGHT OF CALLS FOR

URGENT ACTION TO BE TAKEN TO STOP THE GLOBAL TRADE IN IVORY TOTALLY, THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT IS NOW URGENTLY REVIEWING ITS POSITION UNQUOTE. GRATEFUL FOR YOUR VIEWS ON THIS AMENDED REPLY.

3

YOU SHOULD ALSO BE AWARE THAT WE HAVE BEEN INFORMED THAT THE

PARLIAMENTARY QUESTION FROM LORD BETHELL WILL NOW BE FOR ORAL REPLY ON 8 JUNE. WE WILL HAVE TO PREPARE A LARGE NUMBER OF SUPPLEMENTARY QUESTIONS FOR USE BY LORD GLENARTHUR ON THE WHOLE QUESTION OF ENDANGERED SPECIES AND HONG KONG. THIS WILL ALSO NEED TO COVER THE QUESTION OF HUMAN CONSUMPTION OF ENDANGERED SPECIES. IN THIS RESPECT WE ALREADY HAVE A GREAT DEAL OF BACKGROUND MATERIAL ON THE FILE COVERING OUR EXCHANGES LAST YEAR ON THIS SUBJECT. IT WOULD HOWEVER, BE HELPFUL IF YOU WOULD PROVIDE AS MUCH DETAILED AND UP-TO-DATE BACKGROUND MATERIAL AS

POSSIBLE ON THE FOLLOWING ASPECTS OF THIS WHOLE QUESTION:

I)

II)

A BRIEF OVERALL STATEMENT DESCRIBING YOUR LEGISLATION GOVERNING IMPORT/EXPORT/TRADE OF ENDANGERED SPECIES/BY-PRODUCTS/DERIVATIVES IN HONG KONG.

DETAILS OF FACTORY/RESTAURANT INSPECTIONS UNDER CURRENT