TNAG-1955-FCO40-2784-Trade-of-rare-and-endangered-species-in-Hong-Kong-1989 — Page 190

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4.

The main arguments against Appendix I listing are that a ban on trade would force up the price of ivory and thereby encourage poaching; that it could harm the conservation efforts of African producer countries by depriving them of the revenue from legitimate ivory sales; and would do little to stop the illegal ivory trade within African producer states, since CITES relates only to international trade.

5.

On the other hand, it could be argued that continuing to allow trade in "legitimate" ivory would provide a loophole through which illegally acquired ivory could enter trade, and would be difficult if not impossible to police.

6.

These are complicated issues, and will need to be exhaustively discussed at the CITES Conference in October, but in common with some other supporters of Appendix I listing, the UK has not entirely ruled out alternative solutions, and Ministers have indicated that we will listen carefully to the arguments

and play a full part in the discussion at the CITES Conference.

7.

The EC CITES Committee will be meeting on 22 June to discuss the scope and operation of the proposed Community-wide ban on ivory imports. With Lord Caithness' agreement, the UK delegation will be seeking some flexibility to allow the import of genuine antiques, personal and household effects and the re-import of ivory which had previously been legally imported into the UK. We shall also be seeking confirmation that there will be no restriction on intra-Community trade in existing legitimate ivory stocks.