TNAG-1954-FCO40-2783-Trade-of-rare-and-endangered-species-in-Hong-Kong-1989 — Page 37

ivory.

However, they have introduced the following measures to combat

illegal trading. On 5 August 1988 Hong Kong extended its import licence

controls to cover all forms of ivory. On 9 June they announced support

for a ban on new import licences for raw ivory, pending the outcome of

the CITES conference. They have established a special Customs Task

Force to investigate and suppress the illegal import and export of ivory.

through Hong Kong. They are also completing the registration and

marking of all raw ivory and large cut pieces legally imported before

January 1986 (since which date all imports have been registered and

marked on arrival).

5. In her letter of 23 May to Mr Soames MP, Mrs Kent calls for a total

ban on ivory trade, with countries whose legal trade is affected being

compensated through a specially created UNEP fund. Zimbabwe, for

example, undertakes an annual cull based on assessment by the Department

of National Parks as to how many elephants (and other species) need to

be culled to safeguard the environment. (The intention is to keep a

proper balance not, as Mrs Kent suggests, to obtain income from the sale

of ivory). We are not willing to compensate such countries. Several

African Governments have called for a ban in ivory trading, and although

they may suffer financial losses in the short-term, in the long-term

this must be balanced again potential losses in tourist income if the

elephant population continues to decline.

6. The assistance we currently give for conservation of elephants is

limited. We are most actively involved in Kenya: we are funding a

wildlife adviser and two game wardens in the Wildlife Department; one of

the game wardens acts as the co-ordinator of the Kenya Rhino Rescue

Project. The UK (MoD) has also provided 19 British Army Bedford lorries

for use in anti-poaching activities. We are discussing with the Kenyan Government a project to provide the Wildlife Department with spares, VHF radios and landrovers together with workshop tools and spares for a vehicle repair programme.