TNAG-1956-FCO40-2785-Trade-of-rare-and-endangered-species-in-Hong-Kong-1989 — Page 148

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since 16 June 1989 pending the decision of the Conference of

the Parties to CITES to be held in Octones.

countries have taken similar measures and

cover the import of worked ivory.

4.

་

To prevent such trade would be

The Hong Kong Government believes that the trading of

existing stocks of legally obtained and legally held ivory

must be allowed to continue.

both grossly unfair to those parties who have acquired ivory

in strict compliance with the provisions of the international

convention and also most unlikely to lead to enhanced

prospects for the survival of the species. Ivory traders

would move their base to places outside the purview of CITES

and existing controls would be lost. This could only benefit

those who poach ivory or otherwise profit from illegitimate

trade.

5.

It should be remembered that a high proportion of the

existing stocks of ivory held in Hong Kong has been imported

from Japan, Belgium, France, the U.K. and U.S.A. with the

approval of their respective governments. The banning of

reimports from Hong Kong is illogical and discriminatary.

[There are, at present, about 500 tonnes of raw and 170 tonnes

of worked ivory in Hong Kong with an estimated value of US$90

million and $65 million respectively. In addition, some 3,000

people in Hong Kong are directly engaged in the trading and

carving of ivory. An immediate ban will cause them great

difficulties in find fng alternative employment. 1