TNAG-1955-FCO40-2784-Trade-of-rare-and-endangered-species-in-Hong-Kong-1989 — Page 44

HKDAGB

Background

1. Mr Tony Banks takes a keen interest in Hong Kong's policy on

endangered species. The present batch of 6 questions brings to 19

the total he has tabled for written answers so far this year by FCO Ministers. The present replies are all based on information provided by Hong Kong.

2. Questions 140 to 142 are similar to questions Mr Banks has asked in the past and amount to a request for updated statistics.

3.

The Hong Kong Government take seriously their responsibilities under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of

Flora and Fauna (CITES). CITES Conference Resolution 5.11 (the subject of Mr Banks's question No. 144), which was adopted at the CITES Conference in 1985, prohibits trade in all species listed in

Appendix I of the Convention. The Hong Kong Government have passed the necessary legislation to implement this resolution. At the CITES Conference in October 1989 we will be pressing for the African elephant to be upgraded from Appendix II (which permits trade under strict controls) to Appendix I (no trade at all). If the CITES Conference agrees to ban all trade in ivroy, this would create

difficulties for Hong Kong which holds large stocks of legally obtained ivory worth approximately HK$1 billion. The Hong Kong Government are therefore seeking a special exemption which would enable them to dispose of their existing legally acquired ivory

stocks.

4. In the light of increased international concern about the fate of the African elephant, the Hong Kong Government have recently conducted a review of their policy towards the ivory trade. Pending the outcome of the CITES conference the Hong Kong Government have suspended the issue of import licences for raw ivory and set up a Special Task Force to combat illegal trade in ivory. THey have also introduced new legislation to tighten up enforcement measures (as outlined in the answer to Question 145). Most of the provisions in the new legislation will come into effect on 1 August 1989.

Hong Kong Department