BRIEFING FOR THE LEADER OF THE HOUSE: 8 MARCH 1990
HONG KONG IVORY
LINE TO TAKE
-
747
File
PA_ I very
Mike (sill
- 8 MAR 1990
Discrepancy in stocks held?
In
In July 1989 the Hong Kong authorities, on the basis of traders'
voluntary estimates, calculated total stocks to be 670 tonnes.
October 1989 the Hong Kong Government introduced legislation
requiring registration by January 1990 of all holdings of ivory over 5kg. This more precise exercise showed total stocks to be 474
Exports between July and January were approximately 50
tonnes.
tonnes.
CITES Documentation
Only ivory which has been legally-acquired and legally-held, and which is accompanied by proper CITES documentation, may be exported from Hong Kong. These stocks amount to 356 tonnes. The remaining
116 tonnes do not have this documentation, for example because they
were imported before the coming into force of CITES. These stocks
may not be exported.
Ivory still being smuggled from Africa into Hong Kong
If there is evidence we shall investigate thoroughly.
HKD/MAED
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.