TNAG-1955-FCO40-2784-Trade-of-rare-and-endangered-species-in-Hong-Kong-1989 — Page 56

GATE HSE

07.19.1989 16:57

NO.27 P.

P. 4

Unfortunately we have no idea how much ivory would be

covered by such an exception, but it should now be significant.

Following Mr Muchmore's minute of 14 June, the Minister agreed that we could be flexible if a majority of our European colleagues were in favour of allowing the re-import into the Community of ivory which originally had been imported legally into the EC and sent on to a non-EC country for working. This would cover the re-import of pianos containing ivory keyboards and may also allow Hong Kong traders to re-export some of their stocks back to the EC. with respect to pianos, the FCO have been approached formally by the Austrian Embassy requesting special treatment for pianos made by the Austrian firm, Boesendorfer, although there may be other non EC piano manufacturers, Boesendorfer wish to be able to honour about 500 contracts to provide pianos incorporating ivory keyboards. They already have the keyboards in stock. Provided the ivory element was originally imported legally into the EC before the current ban was introduced, there would seem to be good grounds for allowing import in these circumstances. I should be grateful to know if the Minister

agrees.

3

Hong Kong estimate that they have about 100 metric tonnes of ivory which was imported from the EC. It is conceivable that if we agree in principle to the re-import of ivory, traders may prior to the Conference in October seek to re- import to the Community finished goods. To allow these re- imports would certainly go some way to demonstrating in a tangible form our expressions of sympathy with the predicament in which Hong Kong now finds itself, and it is unlikely to be detrimental to the African elephant. The FCO are very much in favour of a relaxation of the current ban to allow such imports; and I understand from FCO officials that an FCO Minister intends to write to the Minister about this issue. The Minister will no doubt wish to consider the proposal to allow such re-imports in the light of FCO