TNAG-1954-FCO40-2783-Trade-of-rare-and-endangered-species-in-Hong-Kong-1989 — Page 198

PJYAJC (5)

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MORE EFFECTIVE ACTION IS NEEDED NOW

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In response to recent concern, Hong Kong Government have:

set up Special Task Force to investigate those suspected

of being involved in or connected with illegal ivory trade.

extended registration of existing ivory stocks to cover ivory held before 1986. All stocks since 1986 are already

registered.

instituted a review of enforcement practices, with

particular regard to detecting shipments of illegal ivory.

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FINES IMPOSED ON THOSE BREAKING THE LAW IN HONG KONG TOO LOW

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Hong Kong recently amended their existing legislation to increase level of fines imposed on those convicted of illegal trading five-fold. Maximum penalty for illegal import or export of ivory is HK$50,000 (£4,000) and imprisonment for 2 years.

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Illegally smuggled goods are always forfeited upon conviction

of trafficker and goods disposed of by the Hong Kong Government.

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WHAT ABOUT GOODS IN TRANS IT?

Powers of Customs officers to stop, board and search vessels

suspected of carrying a scheduled species have now been extended to cover shipments in transit.

RELATIVELY EASY FOR THOSE WHO WISH TO SMUGGLE IVORY TO SLIP IT PAST

THE CONTROLS IMPOSED BY THE HONG KONG AUTHORITIES?

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net.

Difficult to be absolutely sure that nothing slips through the

But the Hong Kong Government attach great importance to

enforcing their controls. They do not believe that significant

quantities of ivory are imported illegally into Hong Kong.