TNAG-2033-FCO40-2896-Visit-by-Douglas-Hurd--Secretary-of-State-for-Foreign-and-Co-1990 — Page 186

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WHY SO LATE IN ENTERING RESERVATION?

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Consultation process within Whitehall and with

Hong Kong a lengthy one. Had to be sure before

entering reservation that no other alternative

existed.

138

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SPLIT BETWEEN FCO AND DOE

www

No. FCO, DOE and Hong Kong all share the same

commitment to preservation of African elephant.

Believe that this interim arrangement will best

ensure that Hong Kong can comply with a ban on

trade in six months' time.

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CONTINUED TRADE WILL PROVIDE LOOPHOLE FOR ENTRY

OF ILLEGAL IVORY ON TO MARKET AND THEREBY

ENCOURAGE POACHING

If we believed that, we would not have entered

reservation. Entry on to market of Hong Kong

stock pile is not a threat to living elephants.

Makes no sense for anyone to import illegally

more ivory into Hong Kong where there are stocks

of 600 tonnes of legal ivory and no domestic

market.

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WHAT MEASURES HAVE HONG KONG TAKEN TO COMBAT

ILLEGAL TRADE

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In 1989, Hong Kong introduced a number of further measures to combat illegal trade:

creation of a special customs task force;

five-fold increase in fine for illegal trading;

extension of system of marking and registration to

detect illegal movement of ivory;

- introduction of possession licences;

- introduction of export licences.