TNAG-1957-FCO40-2786-Hong-Kong-Animals-and-Plants-(Protection-of-Endangered-Speci-1989 — Page 98

CONFIDENTIAL

For decision

on 7 November 1989

THE PROBLEM

As a

15 HKC

XCC (89) 148

Copy No.

MEMORANDUM FOR EXECUTIVE COUNCIL

THE IVORY TRADE IN HONG KONG

Nr Paarl (315)

Mis

る

Marsdent

Mr Hobfail

PA

result of decisions taken at the seventh conference of parties to

the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) last month, to

(a)

(b)

(c)

upgrade the African Elephant from Appendix II to Appendix I, under which category all international trade in elephant s and part s thereof by CITES parties is prohibited;

reject the proposal to allow continued trade in existing stocks; and

urge CITES parties to waive the normal 90 day grace period between the adoption of the resolution to upgrade to Appendix I and the coming into force of the ban (a period which gives states time to amend their legislation and gives time for trade

for trade in the species in question to be wound down);

Hong Kong's ivory traders and workers are placed in great difficulties. We need to decide what steps the Hong Kong Government should take to ameliorate their difficulties.

2

The problem posed by the existing stock and its value to the traders, as well as the problem of the livelihood of the carvers and other workers in the ivory industry was simply not addressed by the parties at the CITES Conference, although it was clearly set out by Hong Kong's representative. In effect, these difficulties have been put aside at the Conference, while the decisions reached at CITES have closed off virtually all doors leaving the trade here in an almost impossible position. Unless a way can be found for this stock to continue to be legally traded for а certain period of time, or a means can be devised whereby the stock can be "bought out" the traders will be under enormous pressure to export their ivory illegally. The Administration will have to act to prevent this. A confrontational situation is likely to develop in which the Government's stand is unlikely to command widespread community support. Apart from the traders the difficulties faced by carvers and other workers also need to be addressed.

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ivory

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CONFIDENTIAL